Okay, here's chapter 12 for you guys. I'm in a bit of a slump. If any of you read my fic 'Life Through a Window' and how I got the idea for the story, you'll know it was all thanks to my dog, Charlie. Which is why I'm in a really bad mood. I hate to bore you so skip this part if you want.

**My dad gave my baby to the neighbors and we told them that he does bite and they said they didn't care. So that was the first night that I slept without my poor doggy by my side. Then the next day Charlie bit one of them so they sent him to the pound. And there's a law here that if you send a dog to the pound for biting someone, they immediately euthanize them. So now my baby is probably dead and I'm alone and mourning for him.**

I'll dedicate this chappie to my baby, may the Angels watch over him.

Warning: Cussing and junk

Disclaimer: My chappie, my story, not my characters.

Naruto's POV:

Three weeks after I had woken up I felt well enough to move more around, but I chose nonetheless to stay in my building. The cast's apologetic gazes were unbearable to see everytime I saw or spoke with them. And I think Shikamaru might have been avoiding me, which was just as well since I didn't know how to face him anymore.

His news about Kiba's death shocked me. I couldn't imagine Shikamaru having played a hand in my best friend's death, but that is what he said. I didn't know what emotion I should have been feeling. I was confused at the news, annoyed that Sasuke had put Shika in such a compromising position, dissappointed in Shika for allowing himself to be used, and angry that I had ever come to this circus.

I wasn't particuly angry at Shikamaru, but I also was not so forgiving that I could just forget about it. I felt torn between the two brunettes, one a former and now dead friend, the other a new and dead looking friend. I didn't know how to feel anymore. The whole situation was numbing and the ringmaster only added to the problem. He too seemed to be avoiding me, not that I was complaining, but the lack of him being there only convinced me that he must be up to something.

The best thing to do in my opinion was to stay put and not venture out of my building without good reason. Good thing Sasuke wouldn't let me work just yet, it gave me more time to think and weigh my problems. But... Something wasn't right. There was something gnawing on the edge of my mind, and it was irritating me.

I felt the need to venture into the forest, as if there was something... something out there... At night, I thought I heard someone screaming, but who could it have been? If anything, they were lost in the forest. It was like a maze if you didn't follow the path afterall. I wanted to confirm my suspicions that it was nothing, that it was all in my head.

But I doubt Sasuke would allow me to do such a thing. Although, I suppose I could go off by myself, just for a quick look around while the ringmaster was busy with the show. The next one would start in five minutes, and the bastard hadn't put the collar on me again, so I think I would have had enough of a chance without getting caught. But what if I did get caught? I was afraid to do something to anger him, but this feeling that something was out there wouldn't get out of my head until I confirmed it myself. Weighing the possibilities, my curiousiy got the better of me.

Sasuke's POV:

It's been three weeks since my fox has woken up, and two weeks since the rag doll freaks' disappeared. He's been known to dissappear a lot, but never for this long. Something was wrong. I searched for him, but there was no sign of an abduction or a struggle. Where could he have gone? It wasn't like him to just up and leave, and even if he did, why would he?

It didn't make any sense. No sense at all. I had even confirmed that the cast had no idea what could have happened, and they were just as stumped as me. If this went any longer, something would have to be done.

And speaking of things having to be done, what was I going to do with Kimimaro? Itachi had left yesterday saying something about 'errands needing to be complete,' so now I was stuck with a traitorous freak. Several times, I could have sworn I could hear him yelling in the forest for help, and I hoped that Naruto couldn't hear it.

As for how to deal with the bone freak, I had thought about leaving Naruto in charge of him, but the thought of leaving Naruto alone with him gave me a bad feeling. I wondered if my fox even knew how involved Kimimaro was in what had happened to him. I'm sure he wouldn't be happy, though I could see that he would probably forgive him easily.

I could have also forced Kimimaro to be in the circus again, but who's to say what he could do if given the chance. This was a big decision, and I wasn't even close to the conclusion. Maybe I should just kill him myself. It would save a lot of trouble that he wasn't worth. Sure Itachi would be pissed, but he would get over it in time.

I watch as the clock strikes 3pm, indicating that it was almost time to open up the next show. I moved away from the ticket booth and turned to make my way into the tent when the blue freak rushes towards me. "S-sir, Naruto's not in his building." "What?" I snap, where could he have gone? "S-sakura and Ino said they saw him wander into the f-forest." She stuttered nervously, fidgeting with her hands. "Are you sure? He went by himself, and with no one else?" She nodded quickly, "yes sir. I'm s-sure."

I nodded, "ok. I'll go find him. One of you guys take over in my place." I don't look to see if she agrees before hurrying away. Why would Naruto go into the forest? He was still recovering from his assualt, and he wanted to risk getting hurt again? I cursed under my breath. I knew I should have at least made him wear the collar, but I figured he wouldn't do something so reckless so soon.

Naruto's POV:

I had forgotten how beautiful the forest was. I hadn't been in it since the day I arrived at the circus with Kiba. How long ago was that? Months? A year? Time flew so fast, and I was just being carried along for the ride. But no matter how beautiful this forest was, there were hardly any animals to be seen or heard. Sure you would hear the scamper of tiny feet on the ground or a call of a bird now and again, but it was too rare to be normal.

My nose wrinkles as the fresh air suddenly turns, rusty? I can't place the smell, but it is almost familiar. That gnawing feeling is back, but it's almost suffocating. The sound of crying perks my ears, and I almost stop and go back, but what if someone was hurt? The crying is soft, but as I get closer to the source, it grows in volume. I become nervous I get closer, and pushing past a couple of trees and bushes, my stomach churns in anxiety.

"K-kimimaro?" I can barely get out the words at the sight of the young child chained to a tree, dried blood all over him. Hearing me, the white haired child looked up, fear evident in his eyes. "Please, no more!" He screamed hysterically, pulling at the chains. I'm frozen to the spot where I stand, unsure how to access the situation properly.

"You really weren't suppose to see this." I jump at the voice and the hand that clamps onto my shoulder. My own hysteria bubbles to my throat at the touch, but it dies a bit down on realization that it is only the ringmaster, not that it's much better. "What's wrong with you! How could you do this to a child!" I yell at him, not believing that he could be this cruel.

I was not happy, but neither was he. His eyes were narrowed dangerously, and his mouth was curled with dissatisfaction. "What do you mean 'how could I do it?' I did it for you."
I wanted to cower away in fear from the venom in his voice, but I held my ground as best as I could. "What are you talking about? You have a child chained and tortured to a fucking tree! How could this possibly be for me?"

I flinched as he grabbed my arm roughly, pulling me closer to him. "Who the hell do you think helped Orochimaru, the man that raped and almost killed you? It was him." So that time I had seen him wasn't a hallucination, but still... "That's still not a good excuse!" I hissed as I clenched my fists in anger, this was wrong! His grip tightened around my wrist, "so you want me to just let him go? He would probably just go back to Orochimaru and plot another way to hurt you, do you want that?"

"Of course not, but-" "His youth does not make him innocent. He knows what he's done, just look at him." He interupts and I reluctantly turn to look at Kimimaro. There's a look of shame on his face, and he refuses to look at me. "Do you not see his guilt? I should kill him for what he's done." He releases my arm to my relief, but when he moves towards Kimimaro, I become vexed again. "Sasuke don't!" I plead, not sure what I can say to convince him not to hurt the white haired boy.

He doesn't spare me a glance before replying, "why protect him? Why allow him to live? I don't believe he's worth the worry." I watch in horror as he pulls a small army knife from his pocket, and before I can stop myself, the words rush out of my mouth, "why should he die for something he may not have had a choice in, compared to what you've done many times without remorse? That is is ten times as worse than what he and Orochimaru have done!" He doesn't reply and when he finally moves I think he is going to stab Kimimaro.

Instead, the chains around the child loosen, and Kimimaro falls into a heap, free of them. "Remember that you made this choice." The ringmaster growls, moving away from him and passing me without another word. A cold chill passes through me as he brushes past me, and I didn't know what to say.

Sasuke's POV:

He wanted to protect the traitor, fine. So be it. But one screw up from the freak, and he would die. I was beyond irritated at Naruto's behavior, even though I knew he would have acted like that. He was always so attentive to those who were pitiful and pathetic, when he was exactly the same.

"You coming or not." I sighed to him, and the sound of him hurrying to get Kimimaro fills my ears. I don't wait to see if he is ready before I begin the journey back to the circus. Moments later, I can hear him behind me, though I can tell he is keeping a bit of a distance from me which is just as well.

We walk in silence, not even the forest making any noise. And before I know it, we've made it back to the circus. I turn to face Naruto, who's cradling the freak, unsure what he is supposed to do now. "He's your responsibility now, understand?"

He nods hurriedly, "yes, I understand." "He's not to leave your sight. You are to stay with him at all times, accompany him if he has to go bathroom, and he is to stay with you in your building. No exceptions." He nods, "ok." I turn away from him and go towards my building, stopping short of the door, "stay in your room for the rest of the day. Tomorrow you report to work." I open my door and enter, not caring if the blond had any complaints.

Through the door, I can hear the show still going on, which means that the cast shouldn't be having too much trouble running it without me or Shikamaru. The last time they ran it was when I had gone looking for the kidnapped Shikamaru, and they did have a bit of trouble with the customers. Without me or Shikamaru to protect them, they were pretty defenseless.

Speaking of Shikamaru, where had he gone? It was beginning to worry me, and that was something I didn't do for just anyone. I was going to need Itachi's help, but his phone went to voicemail everytime I tried to call him. Things weren't looking so good, and the best thing to do was wait to see how things would play out.

Naruto's POV:

He was terrified. I suppose it was understandable, but it was also a bit akward. If Kimimaro really was there during, well, during that. Then I should be angry, but I just couldn't do it. He was too young to willingly participate in such a ploy.

"Kimimaro?" I tried again to make him respond, but he kept his eyes trained on the wall. I didn't know what else to do. "Kimimaro, please talk to me." He continued to keep silent. What was it going to take to get him back out of his shell? I sighed, giving up when he suddenly spoke, "Naruto?"

I snapped back to him, "yes?" "...I'm sorry..." His voice was low and it was difficult to hear him, but I caught it. "You don't have to be sorry, I don't blame you." I told him gently. Sniffling came from the small child, and as he started to softly cry, I gathered him in my arms immediately.

He buried himself into my shirt, and I rubbed his back, trying to soothe him. "It's ok, don't cry." I reassured him. We stayed like this for about ten minutes before his cries finally died down. "Come on, let's go get you cleaned up," I told him and he nodded meekly.

~Time Skip~

After all the blood had been cleaned off, he did look a bit better. Though he still wouldn't look me in the eyes. He was currently laying under the covers of the bed, but was staring at the wall opposite of me rather than sleeping. I just sat next to him and watched, not sure what to say or do to make the situation more comfortable for him.(1) I could only run my fingers through his hair in an attempt to soothe him to sleep.

I was beginning to get sleepy myself, and knowing now that I would have to report to work tomorrow was making my head hurt. I wouldn't fall asleep until Kimimaro did though. As I strained to keep my eyes open, his little voice woke me back up, "Naruto?" Turning to him, I found him looking at me. "Yes?" I responded, trying to give him a gentle smile. There was a slight fear in his eyes, and he was hesitating. I waited patiently until he spoke again, "do you hate me?"

"Of course not Kimimaro, I already told you that I didn't." He sat up slightly and stared at his hands in his lap, "but you should. I helped Orichimaru to catch you." He looked as if he was going to cry, so I gathered him in my arms again. "It's alright Kimimaro. I know it wasn't your fault." He was clutching onto my shirt tightly, slightly crying, "but it is. I knew that Minato had sold you to Orochimaru and could have warned you, but i didn't."

My stomach felt uneasy at the mention of my father, but what really made me sick was learning that I had been sold. Of course, I should have known that my father would do something like this. If it benefitted him, then he would be sure to do it despite who he hurt. I shook the thought out of my head and continued to confort the small white haired child in my arms. "Let's go to sleep Kimimaro. Don't worry about it, I'm not mad and I do not hate you."

I realized that Kimimaro had gone limp in my arms, indicating that he had already fallen asleep. Shifting him so I could place him onto the bed, I noticed how immediately he clutched onto my shirt when I laid next to him. He must have been exhausted from spending all that time in the cold, dirty forest. It must have been lonely, and he must have been terrified. I know I would have. I pulled him closer, to comfort myself more than anything.

~Time Skip~

Beginning work again. Just the thought of it made me tired. I was leaning against the podium at the ticket booth, already having a raging headache. I didn't feel good. Sasuke had been kind enough, if that was even possible, to not make me wear the make-up, but I still had to wear the dark clothing. Kimimaro was clutching my leg tightly, not wanting to look at anyone or thing, even when everyone had gone into the tent for the show.

I felt dizzy, and I wanted to lie down, but I knew if I left the podium Sasuke would punish me. It was barely the first show of the day, but it already felt like it had been hours. Sighing and shaking the exhausting away, I look down at Kimimaro. He wasn't paying attention to anything but keeping himself hidden from the world. I felt the need to tell him something, but I didn't know what to say.

I felt Kimimaro's grip shift slightly before he began to pull himself away. "Naruto, I have to go bathroom." I looked at the clock, seeing that the show was almost over. "Can you wait a little awhile longer? Sasuke will be mad if we aren't here when the show ends." He shook his head quickly. I bit my lip, not wanting to get Sasuke upset even more with me than he was, but not wanting the white haired boy to pee his pants.

"Alright, let's go real fast." He grabbed my hand as I led him to the outside portable bathrooms. I ushered him in, begging him to hurry. I scanned the circus grounds, hoping that the ringmaster wasn't going to come looking for us. I crossed my arms as a chill filled my body, was it cold or just me? Hugging myself, I felt as if I was being watched and my paranoia grew. My eyes were searching all over the place, and I could feel myself losing it.

I narrowed my eyes in unease, and placed my left hand on the side of my face. I was slightly burning up, maybe I had a fever? Maybe that's what made me feel so sick, and now I was becoming a bit dizzy. I could feel myself swaying, and I knew immediately that something was wrong with me. "Naruto? Are you ok?" I slowly opened my eyes and looked down to see the worried eyes of Kimimaro. "Yea, I'm fine. Let's go." I shook off the feeling and we made our way back to the camp grounds. Hopefully this was just a cold and not something more serious.

Sasuke's POV:

Something wasn't right with Naruto. Twice I had caught him staring out into space, and it seemed that he must've been coming down with a bug. When the show had finished and after he had completed all his tasks, he practically stumbled back to his building with Kimimaro in tow. I would have to give him a check up later, but for now I'd let him sleep it off. "S-sir?"

"Yes Hinata?" I replied, not needing to turn around to know it was the shy blue freak. "Is N-narut going to be o-ok?" I nod, "he'll be fine. He just needs to rest." "B-but-" "Don't worry about him. If anything is wrong, I'll take care of it." I walk away from her, not looking to see if she was done.

I entered my building and as I sat on my bed, my phone began vibrating in my pocket. I flipped open the phone and answered."Yes? Who's this?" I was too tired to look at the caller ID. My eyes widened at the familiar voice, "Itachi? Where have you been? I've-" I paused as he interupted me, and as he continued to speak, my eyes narrowed. "When? How?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "I see. I'll go tell Naru- what?" I sighed, shaking my head. "Fine, fine. I'll wait until you get here." I hung up, and laid back onto my bed, rubbing my temples. This day just go stressful.

~Time Skip~

It only took Itachi to get to the circus grounds an hour, and as soon as he arrived, I informed him of the situation with Shikamaru. "You've had no indication to what happened to him?" He asked. I shook my head, "none. He just disappeared. No one's seen him." He nodded, "we'll have to go search for him later. But for right now, we have other business to attend to." "Right."

We made our way to Naruto's building, and upon entering, I could feel something wrong in the air. Naruto was curled on the bed, but he looked terribe. His skin was almost yellow, and there was shallow breathing coming from him. His eyes were shut, as if he were sleeping, and turned to look at Kimimaro, who stared back with fear in his eyes.

Itachi and I rushed to Naruto's side, and by touching his skin, I could tell that he had a high fever. "What happened?" I glared at the white haired freak. He backed away, fear in his eyes, "I-I didn't do anything, he just collapsed." I didn't fully believe him, but Naruto's health was first priority. I gathered him into my arms and turned to Itachi, "keep an eye on him." I gestured to Kimimaro and Itachi nodded. Satisfied, I began to go towards my own building with the other two following.

As soon as Itachi got the door open, I placed Naruto onto my bed. The action made him open his eyes, and he glanced around in confusion. When he realized where he was, his eyes widened, and when they landed on me, he flinched. "Don't please..." He whimpered, his voice cracking due to his fear. I felt my heart wrench when I realized he thought I was going to rape him again. "Naruto, calm down. I'm just giving you a check up."

His shaking slightly calmed, but there was distrust in his eyes. "Does anything hurt?" I asked him slowly. He studied me carefully before pointing to his chest. His eyes looked like they were struggling to stay open and as they fell closed once more, I knew I was right. "So what's wrong with him?" Itachi asked.

"Yellow skin, a fever, and his chest hurts. It could mean only one thing, his body is rejecting the organs and blood." I began to go through my medical supplies, looking for my tools to operate on him once more. "Rejecting them, why? Why did it take so long?" I shrugged, "I don't know, but what I do know is we need another donor and fast. You know what to do." I didn't have to look at him to know that he nodded his head before walking out, leaving the white haired freak here.

Ignoring him, I pulled out a syringe from my medical box and filled it with the clear liquid that would put Naruto to sleep. A more painful, but more effective, way to put a patient asleep than gas would have. Grabbing his arm, I inject him with the liquid and he flinched before relaxing all of his muscles. My eyes landed on Kimimaro again, who was sitting in a corner of my room watching Naruto with anxiety.

At least now I knew that Naruto's symptoms had nothing to do with Kimimaro, but that didn't mean that I trusted him.

~Time Skip~

Managing a whole new transplant, Naruto's condition was semi-stable. In order to keep his organs from being rejected again, he was going to take immunosupressive pills for the rest of his life, but the possible side effects were major. Weight gain, high blood pressure, high blood cholestrol, diabetes, brittle bones, kidney damage, and the worst, skin cancer. Sighing in frustration, I put my head in my hands. It was a wonder how Naruto had not died yet.

I raised my head to stare Kimimaro, who hadn't taken his eyes off Naruto the whole time. Itachi had left to dispose of the body, and to look for any more clues to where Shikamaru could have gone, so I was alone with the freak again. "1203 Left Banes." I heard Kimimaro murmer. "What?" I asked, confused to what he was saying. "That's where Orochimaru and Minato were meeting up last." I scoffed, "a lot of good that will do. Orochimaru is-" "Dead? I know. It was what Minato had planned the whole time." He turned his eyes to look at me, "did you really believe that Minato would give away all his successful experiments so easily?"

It made sense, but.. "Then what were you doing that day when we found you? You told us you were picking up something Orochimaru forgot." He casted his eyes to the floor, "I was. He had forgotten this." He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. I arose from my seat and took it from his hand. Scanning it for a moment I read it aloud, "983 South Urain road. What is this address?" The white freak looked ready to cry, "Minato's address to his main laboratory."

I narrowed my eyes and clenched my fists, "why didn't you tell me sooner?" Now he was crying, "because Minato said he'd kill Naruto if I said anything." I felt like kicking the shit out of the freak, but I had to call Itachi first. "We'll talk more about this later." I growled to him, pulling my phone from my pocket and heading to the door.

I dialed Itachi's number, and after a few moments, I heard his voice, out of breath. He grumbled something about 'being busy and to make it quick.' "Itachi, change of plans. Get rid of the body as fast as you can and go to this address." I replayed the address from the piece of paper. "If this address is the real deal, and Minato is still there, then we'll be able to finish this once and for all."

(1) Aw, he is so kind! Haha, even though he was betrayed by Kimi, he cares so much for his well-being.

My goodness, will they find Minato in time? And what happened to Shikamaru? Review and make your guesses!

Well that's it for chappie 12. I hope you all enjoyed, and I swear I am trying to update my other stories, it just takes a looooooong while. Haha, I must leave you all for now.

Ja Ne, until next time!