Edited and Republished: 03/01/2018

It was a testament to Naruto's will power that he hadn't gone completely and utterly bonkers. Being trapped between two teammates and a Sensei who you were currently walking on eggshells with didn't help. Neither did the prying and suspicious eyes of those staying at Grimmauld place. Harry especially was making things difficult, being purposely rebellious and trying to get in their way. It hurt Naruto each time Harry's eyes were shot in his direction, full of anger and hate. But there was nothing for it. Though Harry had quickly become one of his closest friends, Naruto was still able to say when someone had a bad trait or two. Nobody was perfect, and it was a philosophy that Naruto accepted with no argument. One of Harry's was that he thought he could do everything on his own.

Naruto felt guilty about having to hide the truth from Harry and his friends. And, truth be told, he was scared of what they would think about him if they ever did find out about him. Harry already harbored vast amounts of anger towards him because he was protecting him. Naruto hated to think what he'd do when he found out who he was. Ron, taking Harry's lead, was also angry at the guards. But it was Hermione that Naruto was currently concerned about. Not because she showed more anger or animosity then the rest, quite the contrary actually. No, what concerned him was they way she watched them. She watched them as if she knew, her gaze cautious and calculating. She surveyed them when she thought they weren't looking, and it was putting Naruto on edge. Sakura, Sasuke and Kakashi hadn't seemed to notice yet because they were too focused on their primary target, Harry. But Naruto noticed, and it worried him.

In all honesty, hiding their identities had been his idea. The other three had been unconcerned with them finding out who they were. Naruto was the only one who had something to lose. Somehow though, Naruto had managed to convince Kakashi that it was for the better, saying that Harry would probably feel insulted that he needed someone his own age to protect him.

He just hoped he could keep the act up.

"Fox."

Naruto had heard her coming up behind her before she had even called out his name. He had just been standing incredibly still, hoping she would pass right by him. It would seem that lady luck was not on his side, though.

"Fox?" She repeated again, this time her voice carrying a question.

With a quiet sigh, Naruto turned to face Hermione.

"Yes, Miss Granger?" he answered, his voice low and raspy.

A look entered into her eyes. No, not a look, that look. The look she got when she was thinking over something, the pieces of the puzzle she was trying to figure out fitting nicely together. Usually, Naruto wouldn't have minded what he now dubbed "the look." Now though, it left Naruto chewing on his bottom lip in anxiety.

As quickly as it came though, "the look" left her face, hidden under false concern.

"You know," she said, rocking back onto her heels. "You should really get that throat checked out. It's been bothering you since we got here, hasn't it?"

Naruto surveyed her carefully, before nodding slowly at her. He didn't like this. He knew this feeling, he had felt it before.

"You're right," he answered politely. "But I would never bother Mrs. Weasley with such a trivial thing."

"Ah, well you see, it's your lucky day! I'm not the best at medicinal spells, mind you, but healing up your throat should be easy enough."

The look was back, now laced with with something Naruto couldn't quite pinpoint. And there was that feeling again. Everything about this situation was screaming at him to get the hell out of there right now.

"Unless, of course," she leant forward, to better look at him. "There's a reason you don't want us to get rid of it. Maybe...you're hiding something?" Her eyes were now steely and grave. But Naruto's mind was elsewhere.

She was trapping him. She was pushing him into a corner and playing with him like some weak, pathetic prey. Naruto felt anger boil up in his chest, threatening to burst out. It was something that he had experienced many, many times, and he was surprised how long it had taken him to recognize it. But not only had it been used to mentally cripple him, he had seen many others use it. Shikamaru was the best example. He played with his enemies, leading them through an intricate web, until they tangled themselves up in the strings that Shikamaru pulled. Once, someone had insulted Chouji in front of Shikamaru and himself. Naruto had watched on as the normally calm and collected Shikamaru had lashed out at the man, his words reducing the man to a quivering pile of goo. After that, Naruto had witnessed it many times. It was a good technique to use on your enemies. Not so much your friends.

"Don't." Naruto growled out, the tone of his voice turning stormy and slipping back into his casual speech. "Don't pull that cornering crap on me. If you want to know something, then just ask, but I aint jumping through your hoops just for you too strangle me with them in the end. Just don't."

A shocked and maybe even offended look appeared on Hermione's face, before one of the weirdest things happened. The affronted look that she wore turned suddenly to realization, which then melted into, of all things, relief. Naruto took a step back, surprised. Things continued to get even weirder when she smiled.

"Oh good. So you do have emotions."

Under normal circumstances, Naruto would've been offended. But because of the way she said it, with such happiness and hope, he couldn't really find it in himself to be angry.

"What do you me-"

"Hermione dear, could you come here please?"

Mrs. Weasley's voice reached them from where she was currently baking inside the kitchen. For a second they both stood there, not sure what to say. Then Hermione gave him a last parting smile, before turning on her heel to go join Mrs. Weasley.

To make matters worse, before she had left, "the look" had shown up again. But now it carried a determination and desire.

I will figure you out, if it's the last thing I do!

That's what she had been saying. And her eyes had sparkled with delight at the prospect of a challenge. With a groan, Naruto left the corridor and excited to his room. It was Sasuke's turn for babysitting duty. He needed a rest.

When those words left Fox's mouth, it was as if a tidal wave of relief had washed over her. For while now she had suspected who was under that mask. He was the only one who worked extra hard to disguise his voice, and the only reason for that would be if he was at risk of being recognized. So she was nearly certain that it was Naruto under that mask. Many questions popped into her head when she came to the realization. Why was Naruto a ninja? Where did he come from? Was he really a killer? All these questions plagued her mind, troubling her. However, even with all these questions, there was one thing that had most worried and scared her.

The man under the Fox's mask was cold and callous. He spoke with a polite lilt in his voice, and a detached edge. And because of this change, Hermione had been left to wonder. What if the person she knew, the Naruto she had come to care for immensely, turned out to be a lie. What if he was simply a mask that Naruto had put up, all in an attempt to get closer to Harry? And what if the real Naruto was this distant man? Heck, what if his name wasn't even Naruto!? This haunted Hermione, for reasons she couldn't quite explain.

And so she had decided that she would investigate. She watched him, she studied him, but none of his actions gave way to who he really was. But then when she had finally plucked up the courage to talk to him, that's when she got her answers. When she had been talking to him, trying to push him into a corner, he had let some real emotion show. That was something that his persona "Fox" had refused to do thus far. And though it had only been anger, Hermione had seen a glimpse of the Naruto that she had come to know. It was with great relief and happiness that she had discovered that no, Fox was not the real Naruto. Naruto was simply that, Naruto. No one else.

So now, though still plagued with questions, Hermione felt that she could at last, at least, sleep easily.

Now, if only she could figure him out.

The wizards were celebrating something called "Christmas." It was a foreign concept, not only to Naruto, but also to the rest of his team mates, though Kakashi seemed to have some idea of what it was. But really, Naruto could honestly say he'd never seen anything like it. The wizards had cooked a vast amount of food, and plenty of rich wines and juices. They had set a tree up in the corner, and laid many presents under it. Decorations hung from the door and arch ways, intertwining throughout the house. He had even helped decorate the house.

When the wizards had heard that they didn't know what Christmas was, their faces had quickly gone from happy to traumatized. The Weasley twins had then wasted no time in filling them in on what they had supposedly missed out on.

And so here they were, wizards and their guests piling into the door, cries of "Merry Christmas" pervading the air. They had even invited Mad eye Moody, who trotted in on his wooden leg, before slumping down into the nearest seat.

Team Seven however, did not participate in the festivities. The stayed silent, hiding in the shadows. Naruto would have been lying if he said that he didn't look down on them with envy, but enjoying himself was not a priority.

"Has anyone seen the guards?" Mrs. Weasley asked, looking around her as if hoping to find them.

Harry snorted.

"There probably hanging from the roof, watching us." Naruto found himself both amused that he was right, and miffed by the tone of Harry's voice.

"Oh," Mrs. Weasley said, "I was hoping they would join us. I wanted to talk to them."

Naruto cast a look in Kakashi's direction. When he received the affirmative nod, Naruto jumped down from his perch and landed quietly behind Mrs. Weasley.

"About time you decided to come out." Mad Eye grunted out. "You've been hanging there like vultures for the last hour."

Naruto found himself distinctively surprised that Mad Eye had been able to see them, but put it away as food for thought. Composing himself, Naruto tapped Mrs. Weasley lightly on the shoulder.

"Ah, Mrs. Weasley? Was there something you needed?" he asked, his voice hesitant.

When she heard his voice, Mrs. Weasley's face broke out into a smile. Turning to him, she did something Naruto had not been expecting. She hugged him. She took him in her motherly embrace and held him there.

"Thank you so much for taking care of Harry," she said, her voice warm. "I do so worry about that boy, always getting himself into trouble."

Naruto missed the wink that she threw in Harry's direction. He was too busy standing there, frozen solid. It had been so long since anyone had touched him in any kind of friendly manner, and so it seemed his body was not accustomed to it. Burying his insecurities though, he managed to pat her awkwardly on the shoulder.

"Ah, um...i-it's nothing. Really." His voice was begging for her to let go. She seemed to take the hint, because with one last squeeze, she released him. But before Naruto could run away, she had shoved four lumpy packages into his hands.

"I wanted to say thank you to all four of you, but the others aren't here. But I did make a little something for you Silver one is Dog's, the black one is Ravens, the Pink one is Slug's, and the orange one is your's."

Naruto looked down at the packages in his hands with disbelief. Mrs. Weasley, taking his silence as displeasure, turned a beetroot red.

"Of course," she said, embarrassed, "If you don't like them it's fine. Here, I won't force them on you, let me take the-"

"No!" Naruto pulled the packages out of her reach, clasping them to his chest.

"No" he repeated, this time quieter.. "I just didn't know what to say. Thank you very much, I will treasure mine."

Mrs. Weasley looked taken aback by the sincerity in his voice, before she smiled warmly at him. She then went to sit by Mad Eye and inquire to him about something. They talked for a while, Mrs. Weasley glancing every once in a while in his direction. Eventually though, she gave Mad Eye a nod, and exited the room. It was only then that Naruto realized that they had drawn the attention of the entire table. Caught with his guard down, Naruto tensed.

Hurriedly, he regained his composure, and went back to join his team mates.

Wordlessly, Naruto passed them their packages. Naruto, Sasuke and Kakashi stared at them in wonder, and Sakura watched them sadly. All three were probably not accustomed to receiving gifts. And though she was still angry with him at the moment, she couldn't help that sadness and compassion that leaked into her heart when she saw Naruto. The same with Sasuke. He tried not to show it, but it was clear that he was in as much awe as the other two were.

Just this once, I'll do you a favor.

"Hey, Dog", she said, drawing her Sensei's attention. "I've got this. You three go, I'll watch them."

Kakashi eyed her, seeming to deliberate whether or not it would be alright to leave her alone before deciding that yes, he could. Sakura was a good ninja, she could handle this.

"Come you three, we'll take an early nap, then we'll swap out with the Sakura every hour or two."

Neither argued. They were quite happy to leave this atmosphere. Today had been a mentally tiring day for all three orphans.

They left the room, their presents under their arms. They were about to enter their rooms, when a whimpering from the room to their right caught their attention. All three ninjas immediately froze. Sobs reached their ears.

"Ri-ri-riddikulus!"

A flash of light sprang out from the room. The sobs grew louder.

Kakashi, Sasuke and Naruto were in the room in a second.

What they saw was not what they were expecting. They didn't know what they expected, but this clearly wasn't it.

Mrs. Weasley sat in a crumpled heap in the middle of the room, facing, what appeared to be, the dead form of her husband. Her wand came up again. But no matter how many times she uttered her spell, it didn't seem to be working.

Crack-Dead Arthur

Crack-Dead Ron

Crack-Dead Fred and George

Crack-Dead Hermione

Crack-Dead Harry.

The bodies kept coming and going, one after one turning into Mrs. Weasley's dead loved ones. It didn't take a genius to know it was fake. But still, it seemed so real.

"Raven, Fox." Kakashi's voice rang with authority. "I will get Mrs. Weasley out of here. I need you two to battle this thing and make sure it doesn't try to pull any other tricks."

At Kakashi's order, both boys leaped into action. Kakashi jumped in one second earlier than them, and escaped with Mrs Weasley. Naruto and Sasuke stayed and fought. Though both boys were currently not speaking to each other, but despite that, they knew how the other fought. They knew what gaps to fill for each other, when to come in, what the other needed without the other even needing to voice it. They were a fluid team, their styles complimenting each other nicely, making for a deadly battle duo.

But there was one thing they were not prepared for. The moment Sasuke stepped in front of the creature, it's form changed. It twisted in on itself, until it had gained a form. Orochimaru stood atop a pile of bodies. Bodies that Sasuke recognized.

It's not real. Sakura's downstairs, Kakashi's with Mrs. Weasley, and Naruto's right next to you. It's not real. They're alive.

Sasuke tried to break the illusion, forming the seal and practically screaming "Kai!" But it didn't work. Orochimaru laughed at the pathetic attempt, his face curling into a cruel smile.

"You shouldn't have left, Sasuke. Now, I'm coming after everyone you care about."

Orochimaru's cackles echoed throughout his head, a constant, deadly song. He was dangerous, he had to move, he had to-

"Get out of the way you idiot! Don't just stand there, fight!"

But Sasuke didn't move. He just continued to stare frozen, horrified by the image. With a growl, Naruto shoved Sasuke into a wall, putting himself in the path of the creature.

It changed again. It twisted and contorted, turning into something gruesome and cruel.

"What?" Naruto growled, ignoring Sasuke who was steadily coming back to his senses. "Whatcha gonna throw at me, eh? C'MON!" he screamed at the creature. It was no surprise that he was a bit disconcerted after seeing his own body. And he was beyond pissed.

He thought that whatever this creature threw ate him, he could handle. What he didn't know was that these creatures knew how to get to him, knew what made him shiver, and cry, and curl up in a ball at night.

And so Naruto watched on with steadily widening eyes as the creature took shape. Eyes appeared in the shadows, accusing and hating him. They watched on, jeering at his pain, laughing as Naruto's worst fear took form. The eyes of the villagers watched on with pleasure.

Naruto noticed the eyes. And then he noticed the larger shape in front of him.

No. It couldn't be possible. It just couldn't be. But as the scene in front of him began to unfurl before his eyes, he knew there was no denying it.

The FOx had escaped. And not Kurama, who Naruto had come to consider a very hesitant friend. It was the monster that people spoke about at night a hid from in their sheets. It was the Kyuubi. And in his fury and rage, he was killing everyone Naruto cared about. All of his precious people charged at the Kyuubi, in attempt to destroy it. But they were easily swatted away as mere annoyances. Naruto watched in horror as a giant claw came out and impaled Shikamaru through the chest.

"SHIKAMARU!" he screamed, but his cries fell on deaf ears. Next to fall was Tsunade, and Jiraiya, then Ayame, than Sasuke, and Sakura, then Kakashi and then, and than, and then...They just wouldn't stop dying. He wanted to go to them, but it was almost as if gravity was pushing down on him harder than ever.

But their deaths weren't the end of it. Out of know where Ron appeared, a frantic look in his eyes, his wand in hand. He went to run when he saw he large creature in front of him. He never even made it two paces as a roaring fire engulfed him whole. Next to go was Harry. He was chucked into a wall, and after that refused to move. Next was Luna, sweet, sweet Luna. Then Dumbledore, then Fred, then George, and they just.

Kept.

Dying.

Last was Hermione. She appeared right at the feet of the Kyuubi and was frozen with shock. The Kyuubi, sensing her presence, crouched down so that he was able to look at her. For a second, a flicker of recognition flashed through the Kyuubi's eyes. Hesitantly, her hand came out, almost as if to pat the Kyuubi. The Kyuubi looked at her hand for a second, almost as if he was deliberating something. Hermione's hand shook uncontrollably, and her voice came out in nothing but a warble.

"Na...Naru...Naruto?"

For an instant, the Kyuubi almost looked human. But then a terrifying rage overtook its features, and in one fell swoop, it swallowed Hermione, leaving nothing but her wand behind.

He screamed her name, over and over again, trying to struggle with the force that was holding him to the ground. But it was already too late. He watched as slowly the Kyuubi chewed, the blood flowing out from the sides of its mouth. And then in horror, he saw as a large bulge travel down its throat, and disappear into the Kyuubi's stomach.

"NOOOOOO!"

In a burst of energy, he sent chakra out to all points of his body, and broke free of the paralyzing force. His sudden spike in chakra did not go unnoticed by the Kyuubi, whose gaze turned to him. What he saw next would haunt him forever.

For, when the Kyuubi twisted it's head around to face him, it was not red and slitted black eyes that graced him, but blue ones. Eyes so blue, that the only way one could describe them was Cerulean, mixed with the ocean. They were his eyes. And now that he looked close enough, he saw that the Kyuubi's fur, instead of orange, had a blonde tint to it.

"No." he whispered. "No, no, no, no, no, no, NO!" he screamed in denial.

But the evidence was right in front of him. Because those were the eyes that he saw whenever he looked in the mirror, and that was the hair that he had to constantly blow out of his eyes.

But scream as he might, that didn't change the fact that the was now utterly, and entirely alone. And he himself had been the reason for it. All because he had been unable to control the Kyuubi.

And so he watched with a detached air as the Kyuubi's-no, his face curled into a cruel smile, and charged at him. He didn't try to fight. He had already accepted his fate.

And so he was unprepared for it when the pattering of footsteps entered the room. Someone threw the door open, lighting up the dark room. Naruto couldn't see who was here, but he could hear their voices. Cries of terror rang out through the room when they spotted the creature, but one person kept their wits.

Pushing his way to the front of the small crowd, Remus Lupin strolled forward, wand aloft.

"Riddikulus." he said softly, dispelling the image. Naruto eyed everyone hazily through the eye holes in his mask. He couldn't think, he couldn't understand. What happened? What was going on?

Naruto's breathing started to come out in shallow gasps, black spots popping up in his vision. He thought he heard voices shouting at him, but he couldn't be sure. And so with a last, desperate breath, Naruto passed out.