Something soft, not quite warm but not cool, was against him. Given the warmth of the day and the familiar indulgence of his pillow beneath his head, the object in his arms, against his chest was both woefully frightening and interesting at the same time. Naruto's eyes opened to find a shape under the covers against him.

It shifted. Naruto shivered as something much cooler rubbed against him. That feeling from last night broke over him and despite his growing panic he pulled off the covers to find a nude girl sleeping rather cutely beside him. It rather came as a surprise when he found himself only inches from the face of the ghost he had seen last night in that terror filled moment.

Needless to say she wasn't the only one who was surprised when Naruto's blood curdling scream erupted from the apartment over the sleeping village of Konoha.

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The Haunting of Training Ground Three.

Chapter two

By

Hibiki

All characters that belong to Kishimoto belong to Kishimoto.

Given I haven't seen an episode of Ghost hunters or anything in almost a year my mind was easily influenced by a show called 'Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Boku-tachi wa Mada Shiranai'. Which is going to sap a minute amount of the horror for bits of cuteness, but only little parts. This Ano Hana made such an impact I cannot resist doing something I never thought I would do. There will be a spin off fiction series coming from THoTGT. An alternate end of this story (Which becomes a series.) you can find the connecting bridge of this story to it after THoTGT Ending AN.

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Her milky eyes blinked at the sudden noise and loss of heat as she sat up in his bed rubbing at her eyes.

At the foot of his bed, having fallen out of it

"Hokage-sama, Uzumaki was correct. We have found partial skeletal remains of a female approximately twelve to sixteen years of age. She was in the exact spot he was reported." Ibiki reported as he walked to where Naruto, Megumi, and Tsunade were waiting. The three, though the figure beside Naruto was only visible to him, turned to look at him. "We are uncertain if they are the remains of a Hyuuga as the deterioration of the body is so complete only a skilled forensic artist would be able to..." He trailed off as he watched Naruto turn away from them talking to someone.

"Oi oi oi. Megumi-chan what do you think you're doing? Hey OI! Megumi-chan!" Naruto turned to them. "She's heading for her b-bones."

"Naruto, what do you mean..." The Hokage trailed off as the world grew bitterly cold all at once. "What is she doing, Naruto!" Tsunade demanded.

"She's disappeared." The whispers from before returned around them as the team of forensics stumbled away from the pit in shock and fear. It soon became apparent why.

Years of being terrified of blood didn't help her as small trails of the fluid flowed in unnatural patterns towards the meager bit of bone lying in the pit. The sky that had been so clear now grew cloudy and rumbled with withheld lightning. The hidden electrical discharges brought flashes of something horrifying in the sudden darkness. An arm, mostly bone but rapidly gaining flesh and muscle rose unnaturally from it's grave, a skull who just as suddenly turned to them sightless now peered at them with white eyes. The freezing wind blasted them back as the form rose from the ground to stand before them. The wind and storm began to fade as the girl took a step from the hallow, slowly, unsteadily towards them. Despite her nudity and his fear, Naruto was to her at once to help her as she stumbled.

"Megumi." Tsunade jerked as Naruto gained burns along his cheek where her hand touched him. The girl's paleness was coloring as Naruto's tan began to fade. It was almost obvious that the girl was taking his life force.

"Naruto!" Tsunade barked. "Get away from her!"

"No." He turned to her, despite the burns rapidly healing he still panted as the two of them rose together. "I can handle it. Come on, Let's get you to the tower." Megumi nodded, taking his hand as she gained enough strength to move. Tsunade merely scowled at this whole bizarre thing.

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A small notepad and pencil was placed before the girl as she sat before the Hokage, Naruto and Sakura around her. She began describing her death.

They came for me, in the night. Said it was a mission. They took me to the training ground. Sensei wasn't there.

Another page.

They laughed when they dragged me down, ripped my clothes off.

She paused only starting when Naruto put a hand upon hers, giving her reassurance.

They raped me. Over and over. They laughed hardest when I screamed.

Tsunade paled at the thought. The girl had only been 14 at the time, a full two years under the men who were her teammates. A new page brought more detail.

It ended when I was too weak to scream, when I wasn't as fun to- to rape. A storm was coming and they mentioned to one another that they didn't want to be stuck out in it, as if they did to me was nothing. I was so angry but too weak to fight back when they pushed me flat against the ground. I remember a knife was placed against my throat. Fugaku sneered at me.

The girl was shaking. Sakura and Naruto both held her, and she smiled softly to both before the gathered her courage to continue.

He said He that I was a good little- Megumi shook her head and mouthed the word, unwilling to write it. Tsunade asked her to continue softly. -and it was a shame they had to get rid of me, but they couldn't have some halfbreed bastard of theirs foul their blood.

Then the knife cut through my neck. I remember the pain, the urge to breath and the blood. Then the rain began to fall. The Uchiha saying they would be back to bury me later. I felt so scared about dying alone like that that I struggled to move, but they were gone. I was alone, scared. Angry, beyond anything I had felt before. I wanted someone to help me, save me, but I knew no one would be coming.

Then I died.

The group blinked away the stray tears and empathic feelings they felt as the girl who had suffered sat before them, her face free of tears and expression. As if she had died again.

I waited, unable to move for a week staring at the sky through the rain and storms until the two stood before me. I knew I was dead, but I could still see them so clearly. They dug a grave, threw me in, then covered me in dirt.

All I wanted was to rest as our teachings taught us we would do, but I couldn't. I just laid there in the dirt, decaying as the worms and things ate me, only thinking about those who killed me, hoping for one day someone to help me be free.

She looked to Naruto who seemed shocked.

Then his blade reached me, the power he had unknowingly put into it pulling me free of my grave. I could finally ask for help, and though he was scared, he helped me. My friend, my savior.

"Remove them, Naruto. They are no heroes. They don't deserve to be upon that list." Tsunade commanded. The young man turned to the others who all nodded their agreement, to finally Megumi, who stood aloof from the others. She was crying, tears sliding down her face before she gave him a nod and a weak smile. Acknowledging her wish he turned to the stone with a kunai in hand. Chakra laced through the blade as he slid the tip through the two names.

A startled gasp made everyone jump and turn to find a writhing figure beside them before without further notice, Megumi's body went limp like a puppet with it's strings cut.

"M-Megumi!" At once Naruto caught her as Sakura and the Tsunade rushed to her aid. Tsunade's hands roamed over the figure from the decaying feet up before stopping and turning to Megumi and Naruto.

"It's like Edo Tensei. Whatever is holding her here is gone, she's starting to deteriorate. There's nothing I can do. I am sorry Hyuuga-san." Megumi shook her head, signifying she understood before giving Naruto's neck a squeeze. His attention gained she mouthed her last wish.

I want to go home.

"Alright." Naruto nodded, trying not to let the clenching in his gut, from seeing her feet begin to fade, show. "Hold on as best you can, Megumi-chan. I'll get you home. I promise! Just hold on!" Picking her up in his arms completely he turned to head for the clan district.

"Hurry Naruto!" Tsunade warned needlessly as the man bolted from the memorial sight.

Every clomp of boot against dirt, roofing, or wall brought the thunderous beating of his heart to his attention. Her body was growing colder in his arms, her eyes were loosing their focus, and her arms around his neck were rapidly weakening.

"Stay with me Megumi-chan. Just a bit more, we're almost there, don't you want to see your brother again? Your family..." She stirred a little her eyes regaining some focus as she turned to look at him. "I... I want to be able so say goodbye too. Don't... Don't leave me without saying goodbye, either." Megumi's arms regained some strength and she gave a him another squeeze. Just as quickly he landed before the main gates and kicked them open. Several branch members were at once readying for an attack but paused at seeing the two before them.

"What is going on here, state your reasons Uzumaki-sama?"

"SHUT UP! GET HIASHI HINATA AND HINABI NOW! BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!" The urgency in his voice coupled with the Hyuuga in his arms brought sent them scattering for the three he asked for. A precious minute went by as the two stared at one another, Megumi's sad smile fit against his worried face as he impatiently waited then the quartet rushed into the courtyard. Hiashi, clan leader was known for being rather stoic but at the sight of the girl in Naruto's arms he broke.

"Megumi... MEGUMI!" If Hinata the others were stunned by their father's

"Uzumaki-san, how?"

"I'll explain later, but please she only has a little time left before she goes. She wanted to see you all..."

"Naruto-kun, who is this?" Hinata asked trying to ignore the femur that was becoming exposed as they stood around her.

"Hinata... this is my sister, Megumi. Your aunt I told you about who went missing." The Hyuuga leader's eyes softened again as he took in the sight of his sister. "Imotou. I knew something had happened to you. The elders kept saying you betrayed us. I knew you didn't. I'm so happy to see you again, finally after all these years. These are your nieces and nephew. Hinata, Hanabi, and Negi." The trio nodded.

"Aunty... you are the reason Hanabi-chan and I became kunoichi. You were our role model." Hinata remarked taking her hand gently, Hanabi nodded, holding the underside of their Aunt's hand.

"It's nice to meet you too, my Aunt." Negi was calm but the hard breathing he was trying to hide betrayed that emotionless exterior.

Megumi nodded soundless words came from her mouth but her family knew what she was saying all the same. No words were needed to read the happiness and peace that was in her eyes.

"I thank you Naruto-kun, for allowing me to see her one last time." Hisashi remarked to the boy before leaning down to kiss Megumi's forehead. "Be at peace my sister." Hisashi remarked, his hand cupping her cheek softly. Megumi nodded softly.

"Goodbye Aunty. I love you." Hinata said tearfully as the decay finally reached her aunt's shoulders. Hanabi was crying into her father's side. Negi had turned away ashamed of his emotions. Suddenly Naruto knew, this was time for his goodbye to her.

"Thank you. For being my friend, Megumi-chan. Forever friends." Tears pooled at the corners of her eyes as she smiled to him, then laid back, her eyes roaming over her loved ones as her smile gave way to a skeletal grin. "Goodbye."

The final clack of a skull coming to it's final rest sounded as a lone tear rolled down an alabaster cheek. Megumi was at peace.

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Naruto finished drying off his hair and putting away his bathing supplies when the brilliant view of the night sky caught his gaze. His tired, almost emotionally exhausted, eyes lingered on the stars in the sky a few moments longer, remembering his passed on friend's words, before moving to the small picture frame beside his bed. Standing beside him in the picture was Megumi, smiling. Even now only he could see her in the picture.

"Wherever you are Megumi-chan. I hope you're happy." He smiled at her happy face before he slid into bed, content that he could help her rest at last. The small pang of sadness at saying goodbye to the friend he had only so recently gained. "I'll miss you."

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I just can't write a sad ending to save my life. I guess I am just too tired of seeing unhappy ends.

Anyway Please read review tell me what you think.

If you're interested in my continuation series which I will call at this moment tentatively call "Naruto's Blessing" until I find a better name, then continue reading this next part. It is the bridge between this story and the series I thought up writing this.

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Something slightly familiar met him when he awoke. It was soft, warm, and against him. A rather comforting feeling, something he would have thought he would lose when Megumi departed. Despite how happy he had been at sending her off, his spectral friend had given him the comfort for a deeper more restful sleep than he had in years in addition to her support and everlasting friendship. So the object in his arms, against his chest was both disturbing and welcoming all the same. Naruto's eyes opened to find a shape under the covers against him shifting. Gulping he pulled up the blanket to find an similarly aged teenager pressed against him. This figure was familiar, but yet not. Warmer was one major change, she was much much warmer than he remembered her. Older was the other, as her more feminine figure was rather prominently pushed against his side and chest, her longer ebony hair that shimmered down her back and waved when she stretched against him making a rather cute noise. Opening her eyes to look at him, she gained a smile, rather like her final one to him, upon her face.

"M-Megumi?" She nodded and hugged him. "H-How... Why?" Her hand reached out to a small pencil and notepad he had not noticed before. With a moment it was pushed under his nose, demanding he take it, as she rose up and began preparing for the day.

I am happy here.

Tears unbidden rose in his eyes as he read it again. A warmth of emotion rolled up and he rose his head to respond... and promptly turned away before his nose erupted.

"W-why are you undressing?" A slim arm took the notebook a moment, a few more scribbles, then it was returned. He tried to ignore the feel of her bared bosom against his shoulder.

I can't walk around in my sleep clothes, now can I?

"G-good point." He blushed when her mostly silent giggle erupted behind him as he tried to understand how a ghost could change clothes. Even with all the chaos and embarrassment, hearing her behind him brought a smile to his lips and a hope for a better day than those before it. The same smile that was on her face as she changed, watching him.

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To be continued in it's own fiction.

Or not.

Naruto just went too far for me to enjoy anymore and RL has left me with no interest in trying to keep writing in this fandom. Therefore, this fiction is as finished by me as it every will be, and any one may continue should they wish. PM's are always welcome if you would like to know where I was heading with the story. Adoption papers are a go.