Ties That Bind Throughout Time

Friends Volume 1

Chapter 1: Beyond the Times!

Welcome to my first story! This is actually a rewrite of my first attempt of this story. I'm also attempting in fixing the mistakes that my younger self has created in the past. Please do bear with me as I start this chapter all over once more.

I do not own Naruto or Bleach!

Prologue of the Whole Story

One pale blue sky, is shared throughout the time, throughout many worlds. Stars are said to be people that shine brightly throughout the night. Stars are known to be manifestations of heroes. That save worlds. The very same sky that holds hope and dreams, goals and expectations. One sky that unites the people as whole even beyond the worlds themselves. Stars becoming the burning fire and passion of people's wills and determination, and with that you see the millions of stars shining along together. This is the story of people saw the images on the moon, adults that save the world that was falling apart around them.

Karakura Town

It was a rough night for everyone, and its only about to add on. Tired and weary muscles were constantly doing the same drills over and over. Go to school, ditch class to fight hollows, and repeat. When will it stop?

For a boy named Kurosaki Ichigo, it's seemed there's no end in sight. Always returning home, but missing out days, and even months of his normal human life.

I got no control in my life. . .

Not technically true, but he know he's been out constantly, fighting hollows, being an escort for several important spirits of the Sereitei, or pretty much dealing with the problems concerning the backstabber Sosuke Aizen. It's a constant struggle to get stronger, and Ichigo knows that, but still, it's very hard in his life. He's living two worlds, living and dead, fighting for good and fighting his hollow. Good and bad.

Balancing his life was not easy either, but Ichigo just has to live with it. School to Soul Society, back and forth, back and forth. School is about to end too, and well he couldn't remember the last time he took the time to stay a whole school day before rushing out to kill a weak hollow or escorting someone to go move on.

He sighed for the umpth time that day, but at least now he can do something about all this mayhem instead of sitting on the sidelines.

I guess that's the only good thing. .

Today was the only rare days that he is home, but he didn't really want to do anything, but to get some much needed rest. He hoped he didn't get a beep from his Soul Badge, he didn't feel like fighting Hollows tonight or probably for the rest of the week. As much as he wanted sleep right now, sleep wasn't getting anywhere. Seeing that sleeping wasn't coming, he sat up leaning a bit and staring out at the moon, and feels his chest throb a bit.

Ichigo was barely registering the pain he is feeling, seeing that it only lasted a little amount of time, but hitting him hard. Now he's drained, and very tired he swore he head a quick whisper in his ears, and finally letting the sleep come to him.

Konohakagure

Alone in the forest, with flowers in hand, a young blond named Uzumaki Naruto was taking his nightly visits to see the grave of his god father Jiryaya. It was bittersweet time as of the situation right now in Konohakagure, but he really needed to get a breather. He sat in front of the grave hands together for a silent prayer. But he could really say much, since he could feel the words choke up with tears raining down his face.

Naruto looked back on what led him here, how he got stronger, how he lost people, and how he found out a long time secret about Pain and the story of the Savior of the Ninja World. But it still left him a bit hollow. This responsibility that he carried from Pain, and carried from his godfather…it weighed on his soul a little bit. And also the future dream of being Hokage, along with the possible war coming up…he wasn't sure if he was ready for it.

Peace. . Find the peace like in the book. . . .Uzumaki Naruto.

He remembered his encounter with Pain about peace, and how Naruto will keep that promise, is still unclear.

Hopes are on him, and he knows the stakes, but he could help but feel he is playing in the hands of someone.

Maybe a sick game? A game that no one wins. .. .

He maybe the type of person that never gives up hope, but after a while, he couldn't accomplish anything. Sasuke was never returned to Konohakagure, no matter how many times Naruto tried to go find him. He disappeared… and Naruto doesn't know where to look next.

Naruto pushed the depressing thought behind, he didn't want any more of that. He had to focus on what is happening now, here in Konohakagure. The village is in rubbles and he has to do his best to help out after the issue of Pain. The dangers are still around, and with tensions between the Akatsuki and other enemies, everyone has to be on their toes. Tsunade is still in her coma, everyone just has to do their best without her guidance for now.

Naruto though it was enough for the night, and wanted to rest the night away, seeing that he had enough thinking. He rolled over to his back and rubbed circles around his seal, remembering his father the 4th Hokage redoing the seal. His father's loving words couldn't help bring a tear in his eye. But still the seal within felt warmer, and almost hot. It was uncomfortable, he hissed feeling this.

It was as if someone was tracing a delicate, but painfully diagrams on his seal. As tortuous as that felt, the 'hand' stopped leaving him winded but tired. He ran his hand over the seal, soothing its now raw skin, his azure eyes look at the moon again, his ears tuning in the wind whispering a sweet lullaby.

Somewhere in a dark manor, a pearly white grin came across the lips. A snarky laugh emitted from the lips giving a lazy applause.

"It has begun."

Well there you go the first rewrite of this whole volume!

I hope it was better than before.

Questions? Comments? Concerns? Feelings? Thoughts? Issues?

Let me know! :D

-Okaami-chin out~