(Going to try and switch up my writing style a little bit. Enjoy!)

So... so pathetic. All this training and grooming for nothing. Fox is still as unreliable as ever.

Does he really think that this is enough chakra to fuel him? Him, the third Hokage! He who is wise beyond his years and unmatched in skill throughout the lands.

How dare Fox defile his legacy like this! No matter; if he is to die then that jinchuriki will too.

Leaping back behind the base of the tree, he knows what he must do in order for his name to be untouched in the vaults of history.

Pulling his sleeve up, a seal that spread like a vine that wraps around homes long forgotten appeared.

Bringing his two fingers together, he forced chakra to the seal and it glowed a bright red, pleasing Hiruzen.

Let's see that jinchuriki get out of this one.

*************

Beads of sweat dripped down his face and his lungs burned. Lord Hiruzen is taking more out of him that he can handle while still being able to perform his duty. At this rate he'll fail Lord Hiruzen.

Gamabunta charged the beast again but retreated back in defeat. They need to take out the foreigner either by waking him up or killing him, Fox isn't apposed to either option.

This is it. Now or never. Putting his hands together, blue chakra swirled around him as he dug up the energy needed.

Choking on the air sitting in his lungs, his hands released and the blue dispersed. Collapsing to his knees, Fox gasped for air that was now restricted. He felt his mouth begin to from and drip onto the inside of his mask.

Wrapping an arm around his stomach, his insides burned and it felt like he was getting dissected.

What's going on? No one has access to the seal on his stomach other than himself and only two people know about it, so why– why does it hurt so much? Vision blurring, Fox shook his head to dull the affect this is having on him. It feels like... like..

"Let's see what makes you break, shall we?!"

Searing hot metal presses against his already tender skin, the pain registered, but it was more like the pain you get from holding cold metal for too long and just like that pain it fades away but still causes damage.

"Shut up!" Forcing himself to live through the pain, he put his hands together and attempted to scrape up as much of his chakra as he can. He can't rely on the ninetails chakra like Lord Jiraiya wants him to. Too much risk is involved for him to do that so carelessly- that's it! "Transform!"

A huge explosion of smoke appeared. Reaching out of it was a fur covered limb with long talon like claws at the end of its paw. Nine orange tails accompanied the creature and sent fear to those who were still below, witnessing all the action.

Grabbing trees with its long tails, the fox threw them at the one-tails and created a break for them. Rushing over to the sand monster, the fox dug in its long claws and bit down on its coarse skin. "Now kid!" 

The transformation ran out and in desperation, Fox leapt into the air but miscalculated just how high he went. Hanging in mid, Fox raised an eyebrow at the scene below until his face was only one of shock. He... he did all this... all this destruction... all this carnage. Trees have been uprooted and the earth has been upturned and flattened. 

The village is on fire and he can do nothing to stop it. Never mind that, he has to focus on the here and now. No more day dreaming or finding random reasons to drown himself in self-pity and disobey his training, his orders, and his masters. This stops now, with the death of this jinchuriki.

Coming in closer and closer, Fox swings back his leg aims for Gaara's head. 

Kicking Gaara's left side of his head, his head whipped to the right with such force that even though it didn't remove his head, it would more than likely leave permanent damage to the brain.

Flipping so that he could face the sand shinobi, the hit did the trick as the beast he stood atop screeched in annoyance. Opening his white eyes, the veins in them accentuated, Gaara looked dead into Fox's own eyes and growled. 

Sand swirling around Gaara, he moved it towards Fox who was saved by Chief toads tongue, much to the anbu's confused appreciation. Something coarse rubbed against Fox's exposed ankle and looking down he was getting swallowed by the sand.

How could he not notice something like that earlier? How could he have not thought about it earlier? Why why why?! How does his mind keep flip-flopping like this? One moment he's ready to take this kids life, the next he's internally yelling at himself for his foolish actions.

He doesn't have enough of his own chakra to save himself in this situation... so the only option he has left is...

'Alright you damn fox... I don't want much, but give me some of your chakra!' The beast grinned and happily obliged to the request. Chief toad removed his tongue as the chakra became overwhelming. Fire flooded his system and an orange aura covered him with the overflow.

His mask started to fracture but without noticing it he ran forwards and reared back his arm. Gaara laughed and moved an arm up. Sand wrapped around Fox's legs and held back his fists just mere centimeters away from his face.

Wiggling around in weak attempts to leave the sands grip, Fox reached his boiling point "I've had it with you!" smashing his head against Gaara's, a portion of his mask broke away and exposed his dull blue eyes and a single line on his cheek.

Shukaku crumbled away and left the two kids falling through the air. 

Gamabunta laughed at how unconventional the kid was, but, he would work with him again when the time calls for it. Pleased with the work, he trusts Naruto to complete the job. Ending the summoning, the harsh wind that came with it blew the two onto tree tops.

Panting, they both sat up and looked at each other with hatred. Neither of them moved and neither of them seemed to be doing to well: Gaara was bleeding profoundly from his head and the adrenaline was just about to run out for Fox and he would feel the pain in his stomach again.

Gaara jumped from his tree top and without registering it, Fox did too. It's weird, his mind doesn't seem to be with the him and is off somewhere else, but just where is another thing... he honestly doesn't know where it is but he also can't care about it right now.

Keen on being the only one to land his hit, Fox flipped in the air and used the momentum to swing his leg up and bring it down on Gaara's shoulder instead of his already hurt head. Knocking Gaara right to the ground, Fox was able to land on his feet but collapsed to his knees instantly.

The pain in his stomach was back and it hurt worse than before. Is... is Lord Hiruzen doing this? If so why? He already drained fox of his chakra so what is this doing to him? He can't take it anymore, he hasn't felt this much pain in forever and his tolerance is reaching its limit. Wrapping both arms around his stomach, he looked at the now unconscious red head and something flicked a switch in his brain.

He has no words to explain this, but this entire fight from the beginning in the leaf village to fighting with Sa- Lord Uchiha, to now in the quiet forest looking at this pitiful child: something has changed. His chest is tightening and his gut turned queasy, this isn't right. This is nearly the exact feeling from when he ran out of the hospital and into his hiding pla- ha, haha... he never used the seal he placed on Gaara... why?

Now Fox is beyond confused because why didn't he? He could have ended this so much quicker and gone back to help Lord Hiruzen in the leaf village... dammit!

Getting up and onto his feet, he fell onto his wobbly knees again and again. He must go help Lord Hiruzen, he can't leave him... no no no no no, this isn't right.

Rustling in the trees startled him, but he recognized the signatures. The two other sand shinobi slipped in and grabbed their sibling before disappearing in the nick of time as two anbu black ops appeared beside Fox, their cloaks were surprisingly clean considering they must have been keeping Lord Hiruzen safe.

"Fox" one said softly as he put his arm around Fox and wrapped Fox's own arm around his shoulder. 

"Come now, we must hurry. Forgive us Fox" the second pleaded, but why? Is head was swimming as it fell to his chest, no longer having the energy to keep it up.

"Go... there are two Genin further into the trees... go get them" Fox said hoarsely to the second one, who despite hesitating went to get them. Now at least he won't get on Danzo's bad side.

***********

Danzo sat in his dark, candle lit room and read this scroll Hiruzen had given to his the day before the battle began.

"Hmn, so Hiruzen... this is how far you've fallen" he chuckled. This is the only time he will ever agree with Hiruzen on something as touchy as this subject. Standing up, his cane clicked as he exited the room and leisurely walked out. No need for him to waste energy on the event happening above, they aren't worth his time.

*************

Rain poured non stop nearly the entire day and the thunder rumbled low. Fox hid behind a cloak without a mask and watched over the funeral. He lost. He never won the battle against Gaara of the desert, no, quite the opposite. He let them leave alive and in turn Lord Hiruzen had to die... there is no use in denying such point blank facts... he... he caused the death of the third Hokage.

Lord Danzo hasn't talked with him since this happened and he hasn't been given any new missions which doesn't feel right. The rain seeped through his cloak and his hair darkened and became heavy. Lightning reflected in his eyes and glistened off the puddles that formed in the streets.

It's fitting that it was raining for Lord Hiruzen's funeral, just feels right that the sky should mourn too. Fox felt his stomach twist a little at the sight below, though. He recognizes one shinobi in particular. He never learned his name, nor does he care to, he can feel that pain again like it was yesterday when that man drove that kunai straight through his gut without a hint of remorse for what he did to a child, but he understands why he did it. He is the jinckuriki of the nine tailed fox and... and... and? Does anyone need anything more as a reason?

Even Lord Jirayia has attended the funeral, the slug princess hasn't bothered to come but that's probably beyond her right now since she's more than likely gambling away her issues and drowning in sake like how he would gladly wash away his issues in this rain.

But he would never contaminate the beautiful rain like that.

******

Jirayia can't believe that they asked him to be hokage, out of everyone eligible they chose him. One good thing can come out of this though, and much to his own dismay and misery, Danzo has requested that 'Fox' come along for the ride. He will say though, this is absolutely hilarious.

"Lord Jirayia, is there a reason I cannot simply use my transformation justsu for this mission?" He asked as he pulled at his bright orange jumpsuit that matched what he wears for his transformation jutsu only with longer pant legs.

"Because too many shinobi know who you are when you use that so this is easier. Now, you know what to do Naruto" it's weird that he's wearing his broken mask and not just removing it like he did for the third hokage's funeral. Surprisingly the mask was taken off with minimal resistance and he only received a glare in return. 

Naruto placed the mask off to the side and grabbed the blue leaf headband instead. Jirayia was happy when he tied it around his head and finally looked like a young shinobi, not just a miniature anbu.

Without any other discussions they left the village but not before crossing paths with Kakashi. Fox doesn't normally argue about the specifics of missions, but he will revolt if they cannot get on their way soon. First Lord Jirayia wants him act 'like a kid' and now they have to talk with Kakashi. 

Impatiently Fox walks on towards the gate and left the sannin behind to finish up whatever the two were talking about. 

The wait wasn't long and before Fox knew it they set out and finally left behind the village for the first time in days. Even if it wasn't for long, he thrives on the travels that come with it. Maybe this time he can actually enjoy the travel as oddly, there doesn't seem to be much of a rush.

But this also allows Fox the time he needs to get his act back in check so that he can still prove of some use to Lord Danzo. Why has he been acting like this though? Why did he feel the need to cry after leaving the hospital? Why did he complain about the position he is in or why he is dependent on his masters orders? Why is he all of the sudden consumed with these questions and have this connection to team seven? 

It all seems out of place, like his supposed name; both are clunky and useless, no longer serving a purpose other than to make him soften up which makes him unable to protect the village or serve Lord Danzo to the fullest extent.

Just... why?