A large portion of humanity sees looks and appearances as the most important judge of character, despite the fact that the point behind getting to know someone involves personality over appearance. Thus, the thought process and discretion of the majority of the human race is obviously and noticeably flawed, with this being one of the reasons why.

However, those that point out this flaw are denigrated and persecuted, much like the people humanity views as "ugly" or "disgusting". I myself am painfully aware of this, as I have experienced that denigration and persecution for voicing this flaw in the human race. So I have come to this conclusion:

"I thought what I'd do was I'd pretend to be one of those deaf-mutes."

A Simple Change: The Sharingan Volume 2: Reminisce
By:
James D. Fawkes

Author's Note: Naruto does still have the Sharingan (read more at the bottom).

Chapter Two: On the Precipice of Defeat
— o.0.O.O.0.o —

"Oi!" a seventeen-year-old boy with spiky orange hair walked into the old-style Japanese room, brown eyes focusing on the man within. "You called, Yamamoto-taichou?"

"Yes, Kurosaki-taichou," the old man sitting on the floor nodded, gesturing with his hand to the mat in front of him. "Please, sit."

Nodding in return, Kurosaki sat, fidgeting until he was comfortable. Looking towards the man, he said, "So what did you call me for, Yamamoto-taichou?"

"Do you remember, Ichigo-san," Yamamoto began, speaking slowly, "about twelve years ago, when you were called down to earth to fulfill the request of a human man?"

"Yeah," Ichigo answered. "What of it?"

"Who are you?" a stunned Yondaime asked, staring at the orange haired teenager in formal get up. "Are you the Shinigami?"

"It seems Kuchiki-taichou has decided to train the boy in whom you sealed that demon. He asked me if he could about a day ago," Yamamoto told him, his tone light, as though discussing the weather. "But I have yet to grant him permission. I want you and Rukia-san to teach the boy, because that boy's Zanpaku-to is…different."

"Zanpaku-to?" Ichigo asked, surprised. "You mean that small bit of Zangetsu he absorbed from me was enough to give him a Zanpaku-to?"

"Alright, Zangetsu," the Fourth Hokage was only a spectator as the spectral Ichigo played tug-o-war with Kyubi's soul, "this bastard's pretty strong, so I'm gonna need your help with the sealing!"

"Yes, apparently," Yamamoto nodded. "Although it was much more primitive until a large burst of the demon's youki forced it to evolve. It is, however, far different from yours…mostly."

Yamamoto waved his hand in a dismissive manner, "But that is neither here nor there. The point is, I want you to teach him the uses of a Zanpaku-to and Rukia-san to teach him Kidou, Fifth Division Captain, Kurosaki Ichigo."

"Here goes!" Ichigo shouted as he pressed his fingers into the stomach of the baby in the Fourth's arms. "Bakudo 101: Forbidden Art: Shiki Fuuin!" (Path of Binding 101: Forbidden Art: Dead Demon Imprisonment)

"Should I consider this an official order?" Ichigo asked. Yamamoto nodded, his beard swaying a bit.

Ichigo sighed, "Byakuya will be disappointed, you know."

"Byakuya does not know how to teach someone as…spirited as Uzumaki Naruto," Yamamoto told him. "As such, you and Rukia-san shall be his instructors. He will be a great asset after he dies, most especially if he knows the things a Shinigami must know."

Ichigo sighed again, "Well, I don't like it, and I don't think Rukia-chan will either."

Yamamoto smiled, "You and your wife will do just fine, Kurosaki-taichou."

— o.0.O.O.0.o —

Naruto sat on the floor of the 'mission reception chamber', as he liked to call it, with his back against the wall. He didn't know what it was really called, so he preferred to call it by the name he had given it. Besides, 'mission reception chamber' sounded lame, and, sitting where he was, listening to the old Hokage rattle off D-rank missions for Team Seven to complete, the name seemed to fit.

Naruto sighed and rested his head against the wall. It was eleven in the morning and they'd just gotten back from finding Tora, Madam Shijimi's cat, for what had to be the tenth time in one week. He had several already healing claw marks on his hands and arms, and he was pretty sure his teammates did, too. If he had to find that cat one more time…

A memory popping into his head, Naruto interrupted the Hokage, "Hey, old man, isn't there a more difficult mission you can give us? Like a C-rank escort or something?"

"Naruto," Iruka sighed, going into lecture mode, "Missions are handed out based on the skill and strength level of the ninja they're being assigned to. It's very rare for…" Iruka trailed off as he realized Naruto wasn't listening. "Naruto, pay attention!"

"…'It's very rare for a Genin to go on C-rank missions'," Naruto finished for him, waving his hand in a dismissive manner. "I already know all that, Iruka-sensei. But we're ready for a C-rank mission!"

"Naruto…!"

"It's fine, Iruka," the Hokage's chuckled stopped the oncoming rant before it could even start. "If they think they're ready for a C-rank mission, we'll give them one. Are they ready, Kakashi?"

Kakashi shrugged, "They should do fine."

"Alright, then," Sandaime fished through the mission scrolls, picking out what looked to be the easiest C-rank one among them. "Team Seven, your mission will be the escort and protection of a certain individual."

The old man motioned to his Chuunin helper, who escorted an old drunk in from the room next door. The drunk looked at the Genin, then took a swig from his sake bottle.

"They look like a bunch of super brats! Especially that one," he said, pointing to Naruto, "He looks like he couldn't even lift that sword out of its sheath!"

He pointed ignored the pair blue eyes glaring at him, gulping down another huge sip of his rice wine, "I'm the super bridge builder, Tazuna, and I expect you brats to give me super protection until we get back to my country and complete my super bridge!"

— o.0.O.O.0.o — (No matter what, don't stop reading because of this; this is an important part of Naruto's character development.)

As the strange looking entourage (a drunken old man, three kids, and a tall man wearing a mask and reading smut) left the safety of Konoha, Sakura fired question after question about Wave Country at Kakashi and Tazuna, who tried their best to answer her. Sasuke walked silently and pretended to be uninterested while Naruto scanned the road ahead of them.

Naruto hid a grin as he caught sight of a puddle in the road not far ahead of the group. He was itching to use some cool Hado and take a few whacks at the mist duo that would be appearing very soon. Things had been relatively calm for Team Seven, and hacking a training dummy to bits wasn't as fun as fighting a real person, so he had trouble waiting for the confrontation.

He wasn't disappointed.

As soon as Kakashi's back was turned, the Demon Brothers materialized from the puddle, wrapping their deadly chain around the Jounin. With a sharp tug and a sickening squelch, Hatake Kakashi fell to pieces on the ground, done in by the chain's serrated links. In a deep voice, the brother with oily black hair said, "Heh heh, one down."

Gathering chakra in his finger, Naruto watched stoically as the other one rushed towards him, claw poised to kill, "Heh heh, two down."

Naruto pointed at the spot where the chain connected to the clawed gauntlet, a calm concentration on his face, "Hado Number Four: Byakurai."

Lightning flew from his fingertip, four times the size of what had freed Sasuke in the Genin Exam. There was a loud, metallic ping as the chain was ripped from Gozu's claw, forcing him into a stumble. He was unprepared to face Naruto's next attack.

Deciding to vent a little of the frustration he had been feeling because of his predicament, Naruto's hand shot out, grabbing Gozu by the neck. Without hesitation, he slammed the Chuunin into the tree next to him, pinning him against the wood and maintaining the state of shock.

Without a second's hesitation, Naruto released a part of the seal on his palm, a rush of chakra flooding his system. He ignored the pain as the chakra overflow started to take its toll, locking eyes with the man in front of him and forcing all of the extra chakra into his revealed Sharingan.

Gozu could only watch in horror as the tomoe pattern in the blonde boy's eyes morphed, shifting into a tri-bladed shuriken. Then, the world around them disappeared…

When Gozu had a conscious perception of the world again, he was tied to a cross, his arms and legs immovable and his senses dulled. The sky above him was red, the clouds black, and the moon black. Everything was introverted. What would normally be a dark color was now white. What was normally a light color was either black or gray. There were no hues and shades, simply black, white, and gray.

Naruto suddenly appeared before him, his golden hair black, his dark clothes white, and his skin an odd gray. His nōdachi was drawn, held in front of him with a single hand. It too was introverted. The world was silent but for the sound of Naruto's voice, "For the next Seventy-two hours, you will be continually stabbed and mutilated by this sword."

Calmly and without remorse, Naruto's sword impaled itself on Gozu, stabbing him through his stomach. Gozu screamed as a harsh burning sensation appeared in his gut, stopping when Naruto's weapon was withdrawn and the pain dulled to a low throb. There was no wound where the sword had been. He screamed again as the sword pierced through his chest, stabbing his right lung. It was pulled back again, and his body appeared unharmed.

Another stab, this one through his heart. Another, through his throat this time. How he managed to scream was a mystery. Finally, after what seemed to be hours, Naruto paused, his eyes steely.

"Only Seventy-one hours, fifty-nine minutes, and fifty-nine seconds left to go."

— o.0.O.O.0.o —

Naruto closed his eyes as they faded back to blue, Gozu's terrified scream echoing in his ears. He felt the man in his grasp go limp as he lost consciousness, the horrors of Tsukuyomi too much for him to handle all at once.

'Did I just…?' Naruto asked himself, Gozu slumping to the base of the tree. 'I…I think I did.'

Naruto's breath left him as he fell backwards, landing on his butt. He had just used Tsukuyomi on someone…for the first time. Why had he done it? He didn't have much of an answer, even as a small amount of remorse wormed its way into his mind. Not much, just a little. Gozu was an enemy, after all.

"Yo," before Naruto could ponder further, Kakashi walked up behind him, Meizu slung over his shoulder. He noticed Gozu's condition, "What happened?"

"High-level Genjutsu," Naruto answered shortly, still a bit shocked. "My first time trying it. Might have overdone it."

Kakashi glanced over at the Chuunin, who, despite his incapacitated state, had his eyes wide open in terror, "I'll say."

And there, with Kakashi as his silent, unwilling, unknowing witness, Naruto swore that the Tsukuyomi would only be used as a last resort. Well, unless he faced Itachi. He'd bend the promise that far. He'd only use his Mangekyou as a last resort, or against Itachi.

— o.0.O.O.0.o —

Hinata mentally calculated the date as her sensei delivered their mission report, trying to figure out what day it was. As soon as she did, memories of a past that was not this one, yet was undeniably similar, came to the forefront of her mind. In a mildly hesitant voice, she asked, "Hokage-sama? Did Naruto-kun's team go on a C-rank mission recently? An escort mission?"

The Hokage looked surprised, "Why, yes they did. They're escorting an elderly bridge builder named Tazuna."

"Sandaime-sama! Please don't ask why, but you need to send back up for them! They're in danger!" Hinata had no doubt that her husband, nineteen-year-old Uzumaki Naruto, could handle such a mission, but her boyfriend (since they weren't married or engaged in this timeline), twelve-year-old Uzumaki Naruto, would probably find it challenging. "Our team can go! Please, Hokage-sama!"

"Well," Sarutobi looked surprised, but bowed to her request. "Alright, your team is officially assigned to this mission. You will give aid and support to Team Seven, assisting them in their mission. The funding for this mission will come directly from the Konoha treasury, you are to leave in the morning."

Hinata smiled, relieved that she could go help and excited to ask Naruto about the strange timeline they were in, "Thank you, Hokage-sama."

Sandaime smiled a grandfatherly smile, "You're welcome, child."

He wagged the end of his pipe at her, "But sometime after you get back, you'll have to regal me with the story about why this is necessary."

Hinata smiled again, despite the dread that was settling in her stomach, "Of course, Hokage-sama."

— o.0.O.O.0.o —

Naruto felt a small bit of amusement at the irony only he noticed. Despite traveling in time twice, Kakashi's conversation with Tazuna remained the same. It was almost unnerving to hear them repeat, word for word, what he'd already played witness to twice, and it brought forth a sort of wry humor. No matter the changes he brought about, some things seemed to want to stay the same.

Naruto noticed a slight sag to Kakashi's back as he returned to the group, aware that his three Genin had eavesdropped on his conversation with the bridge builder. Having become more perceptive as a result of his Sharingan, Naruto could read Kakashi like an open book by the way he walked. Kakashi was going to ask whether or not they wanted to continue the mission, though he already knew that Naruto and Sasuke would say yes, and Sakura would agree with Sasuke.

But it was more than that, Naruto observed quietly. Kakashi didn't think his team was ready to take on someone of Jounin stature, as their next opponent would undoubtedly be. Normally, Naruto would disagree, but now…he had Sakura as a teammate, and she was pretty useless at this point. Sasuke wasn't all that interested in working together, so that plan was shot. That left it all up to Naruto, and he had doubts about how successful he'd be now that he was pretty average again.

But still, Naruto wouldn't be giving up all that easily. He was going to try, damn it. He was going to try even if it nearly killed him in the process. Zabuza could attack all he wanted, but Naruto still had one thing that neither Zabuza nor the rest of the world (save Hinata) had. Knowledge of the future.

So as Kakashi asked his question of whether or not they should continue their mission, Naruto schooled his features, "Well, this mission is definitely B-rank now, so we have a choice, guys. We can either continue with this mission and protect Tazuna, or we can call it quits and go back home. It's all up to you and what you want to do."

"We've come this far," Sasuke said, no hint of apprehension in his voice as he answered Kakashi. "We might as well go all the way."

"Yeah," Sakura hesitated for a second, "I agree with Sasuke-kun."

Naruto shrugged as Kakashi's eye landed on him, "It's our duty as ninja to follow this mission till its end. I wouldn't be able to lift my head in a crowd if I just gave up right here."

"Then it's settled," Kakashi sighed almost imperceptibly. "We'll continue this mission."

— o.0.O.O.0.o —

"Thanks for everything," Tazuna whispered to the ferryman as he and Team Seven left the boat that had taken them across the expanse of water. He'd laid off the rice wine since the frightful (to him) encounter with the pair of mist ninja.

The ferryman shook his head as the boat started to move again, "Don't mention it, Tazuna-san."

Naruto grinned, trying to keep the group in high spirits as he prepared for the upcoming battle. It would take all of his skill to fight off Zabuza at this point in time. Himura's teachings were almost useless to him at the moment, since he had yet to train his body to the required standard of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. Shunpo was just as useless, and Kakashi had forbidden it. Shunshin was too noticeable. And he was currently incapable of Hiraishin. All of his best Jutsu were off limits.

A thick fog rolled in as the group followed the dirt path to the little town in Wave Country, hiding the trees and bushes in a translucent haze. The wind was calm, and the only sounds heard were the soft clap-clap of the group's feet on the ground. Naruto was tense.

The entire group suddenly ducked, Kakashi pulling Tazuna down with him and Sasuke nearly tackling Sakura, Naruto dropping to the ground on his own. A large Zanbatou, nicknamed Kubikiri Houcho (Neck-cleaving Kitchen knife) flew over their heads, embedding itself in a tree. As Tazuna and his ninja entourage rose from their places on the earth, a figure could be seen standing on the huge sword's hilt, his back to them.

"Momochi Zabuza," Kakashi hissed, hand flying to his headband. "Jounin of the Bloody Mist."

"Heh heh, you appear to be Sharingan Kakashi," Zabuza said, chuckling evilly. "Sorry, but the old man is mine!"

"Sharingan?" Sasuke echoed in a whisper. 'Kakashi-sensei…could he be…?

"You'll have to get through me first!" Kakashi growled, yanking his hitai-ate skyward, revealing the coveted Sharingan eye.

"The Sharingan so soon?" Zabuza cackled maliciously. "It is an honor!"

Zabuza and his sword disappeared and the fog began to thicken. Kakashi backed his group into a circle around Tazuna. "Surround and protect the bridge builder, he's way out of your league!"

Sasuke was trembling, the killing intent that Zabuza oozed was overwhelming him. He'd never been on the receiving end of bloodlust, and he'd never faced down a Jounin before. His earlier confidence seemed to be dissipating, slipping through his fingers like sand. His hands began shaking uncontrollably. He was ready to end it himself, all just to get it over with…

"Sasuke!" Sasuke looked up. Kakashi was smiling at him over his shoulder, "I don't let my comrades die!"

The rush of air displacement that accompanied Shunshin met Naruto's ears. Swiftly, Naruto reached up, pulling his nōdachi from its sheath. He swung it vertically as the others in the group rushed out of the way, trapping himself and his enemy in a deadlock with a clang as their swords crossed. They appeared evenly matched.

Zabuza suddenly grinned beneath his bandages, pushing against the swords with a new strength. Naruto, surprised by the action, was forced to take a few rushed steps back to maintain his balance. Zabuza took advantage of the sudden opening, landing a kick square in Naruto's chest. The blonde flew backwards, landing on his stomach after he rolled a few yards.

Naruto's head shot up when he heard Zabuza gasp, his eyes widening. Kakashi stood behind Zabuza, a kunai stabbed in the tan man's lower back, right through a kidney. Water slowly flowed over the dark metal, dripping steadily to the hard ground. Suddenly, Zabuza exploded into water, splashing Kakashi's front.

A second Zabuza materialized behind the leaf ninja, his sword prepared to swing around and cleave Kakashi in two.

"Kakashi-sensei!" the three Genin yelled.

There was a splash as Zabuza's sword cut Kakashi in half. Blood, bone, and flesh soon disappeared, replaced with a familiar crystalline liquid. The Kakashi clone had reverted to water, much like its Zabuza predecessor.

Cold steel pressed against Zabuza's jugular. Another Kakashi stood behind him, Sharingan whirling, "It's over."

Silence reigned for a few seconds, then Zabuza started laughing, "'It's over?' Ha! You're right, Kakashi, it is over!"

There was another splash and Zabuza melted into a puddle, nothing more than liquid. Kakashi's eyes widened. A third Zabuza advanced upon Kakashi from behind, poised to swing his large blade. Kakashi ducked under it, but Zabuza seemed prepared for that. Using the momentum of his swing, he dug his sword into the ground, landing a roundhouse kick to Kakashi's jaw.

The silver haired Jounin flew into the lake, landing particularly hard, soaked to the marrow. Zabuza was soon standing above him, making hand seals, "Suirou no Jutsu!"

A sphere of water rose up, surrounding Kakashi and trapping him in Zabuza's grasp. Using his free hand, Zabuza made a hand seal, "Now to take care of those brats! Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu!"

A water clone rose from the water of those before it, chuckling as it gazed at the Genin with wide, bloodshot eyes. In its gravely voice, a perfect imitation of its creator, it said, "You little punks don't know what it means to be ninja!"

Naruto clashed swords again as the clone at him and attempted to cut him down the middle, raising his sword in a half-prepared defense. The clone was stronger than he remembered, and revealing his Sharingan wasn't an option. A fear ran through Naruto, increasing as he heard a quiet cracking of metal. To him, it was the loudest roar ever heard as his sword began to break under the pressure of the Zabuza clone's strength.

With a sickening crash, the steel of Naruto's blade split in half, turning his nōdachi into a broken, foot long stump attached to a Katana hilt and hand guard. As the broken piece flew off somewhere, the tip of the massive Zanbatou bit into Naruto's chest, leaving a deep cut that started at his right shoulder and ended at his left hip. Naruto flew back as the rest of Team Seven screamed with worry, his shirt ripped and useless.

Zabuza's laugh was all that he heard as the world seemed to disappear around him.

A tall, lean figure wearing a ragged black overcoat over top of a ragged, button up shirt and black slacks walked up to Naruto's fading vision. Time seemed to freeze as the figure, his hair a shaggy, shoulder-length black, his face rugged, and a pair of goggle-like red glasses perched on his nose, stopped in front of Naruto. He bent down, resting one arm on his right knee as he kneeled, his crimson irises seeming to stare into the blonde's soul. He offered a hand.

"Come on, Naruto," the man said, shaking his hand for emphasis. "It's time for you to get up."

"Who are you?" Naruto asked weakly, struggling to keep his head up.

"I am Zangetsu," the man said, shaking his hand. "Now, it's time to stand up again."

"Zangetsu, huh?" Naruto's head fell back down to the earth. "Well I'm sorry, Zangetsu, but I won't be standing again anytime soon. I can barely breath as it is."

"But you need to stand, Naruto," Zangetsu laid a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "If you don't, unspeakable wrongs will be committed against all your precious ones."

There was a pause.

"You're him, aren't you?" Naruto asked, face still in the dirt. "You're the new soul of my Katana?"

"I am," Zangetsu said, tightening his grip on Naruto's shoulder. "And if you are unable to stand on your own, know that I will always be here to help you stand."

As Zangetsu stood, his hand still on Naruto's shoulder, Naruto could feel his pain and fatigue leave him. He rose from the ground as Zangetsu did, all his ailments seeming to vanish. The sword still clutched in his palm regenerated the part that Zabuza's clone had hacked off, then transformed, a Katana once more. The blade straightened, the polished steel turning pitch black as the hilt shrunk a little, the hand guard darkening to dusky raven. The hilt wrapping morphed into a pure, pristine white, the metal cap at the end staying a neutral bronze.

"Are you ready?" Zangetsu asked as time started to return.

"I am," Naruto said firmly. "Teki no Chi wo Abiru, Zangetsu."

The world returned as time did, revealing that barely more than a few seconds had passed between his being cut down and getting back up.

Kakashi, Sasuke, Sakura, Zabuza, and Tazuna all seemed stunned as he stood again, the gaping wound in his chest shrinking until it wasn't there anymore. Tazuna and Sasuke were slack-jawed. Sakura looked somewhere between relieved and confused, Kakashi wearing a similar look. Zabuza and his clone were sputtering as they tried to figure out what had happened.

A hand settled on Naruto's shoulder, squeezing it in a fatherly way. Naruto didn't need to look back to recognize the presence of Zangetsu, even if he had only really met the man a few seconds before. It was comforting to know that Zangetsu would be there when no one else would be. It was comforting to realize that he'd never be alone.

"You must remember, Naruto," the words floated down, meant for Naruto's ears only. "If you defend, you will block it. If you protect someone, they won't die. If you attack, you will cut him down. That is the key to fighting: resolve."

"Yes, Zangetsu," Naruto whispered back. "Thank you."

"Let me show you," Naruto said louder, knowing that everyone could hear him. He lifted his arm, holding his sword vertically above his body. A pressure, purer than Zabuza's bloodlust but still just as heavy, settled amongst the group. A ring of dust was blown away from the blonde's feet, an azure aura surrounding him. Naruto swung his sword, his eyes seeming to glow, "…my resolve!"

There was an intense white flash, forcing the majority of the group to close their eyes. It was like a brighter version of Naruto's Byakurai, Sasuke noted, blinding in its intensity and nearly overwhelming. He'd hate to be on the wrong end of it. But where was Naruto getting this strength?

As color returned to the world and everyone could see again, most of them went slack-jawed at the sight that greeted their eyes.

A large, straight crack had formed in the earth, starting a few inches in front of Naruto's sword and ending somewhere in the middle of the lake. Water was pouring in to fill the three-foot deep crack, adding a dramatic flare to the power of the attack. The Zabuza clone was nowhere in sight, but if the puddle on the ground was any indication, it was long gone. Zabuza himself, who had been almost directly in line for the attack, had moved to the far left, panting as he leaned against a tree. He used up a lot of energy to dodge it in time, apparently.

Kakashi stood on top of the water, waiting for Zabuza to regain his bearings. He was going to boast about Naruto to the mist nin, which was why he wasn't capitalizing on the opening Zabuza was presenting him with at that point in time. Even he was amazed with what Naruto had just pulled off. He didn't know Naruto had the energy to do something like that.

Naruto fell backwards onto his back, snoring lightly, proving that Kakashi was right. He didn't have the energy to pull off something like that. It was a one-shot deal, and Naruto had used his one shot.

Chuckling, Kakashi whispered, "Rest well, Naruto. You deserve it."

— o.0.O.O.0.o —

A familiar scent drifted into Naruto's nose, one he never thought he'd smell during the entirety of this mission. Screwing up his face, Naruto inhaled through his nose again, slightly surprised to detect that particular aroma again. Then, a smile spread across his lips, a soft giggle reaching his ears.

Naruto's eyes opened slowly as he took in another deep breath, "Hello, Hinata-chan."

Hinata giggled again, smiling down at him, "Good morning, Naruto-kun."

Naruto sat up, shrugging the covers off his chest. Kakashi lay beside him a few feet away, sleeping soundly, "So, Hinata-chan, what are you doing here? I mean, it's not like I'm not happy to see you, but…"

Hinata's smile didn't falter, "I remembered that we had this mission originally, and that we had faced Zabuza-san and Haku-san. I…thought you could use some help, so I asked Hokage-sama if my team could follow you. He approved."

Naruto sighed as he caught a hesitant undertone, "He wants an explanation, doesn't he?"

Hinata nodded. Naruto sighed again, "Well, we'll just have to tell him the truth…or at least half of it."

Hinata nodded again, fidgeting slightly, her index fingers poking together. Naruto noticed, "Something wrong, Hinata-chan?"

Hinata threw herself into Naruto's arms, crying softly, "Oh, Naruto-kun! Everything's so different! Father's mean and cold! We're on different teams! Kiba-san is acting weird and…oh Naruto-kun!"

Naruto lifted her chin, pushing his finger to her lips with a, "Shhhhhh."

Hinata bit her bottom lip, trying to quiet her desperate sobs. Naruto, seeing her distress, leaned forward, kissing her softly. Slowly, as they sat there for a few minutes, lips locked, Hinata's sobs slowed to gentle heaves, far and few between. Naruto smiled as she calmed, leaning back and taking in a deep breath.

"Hinata-chan," Hinata looked into Naruto's eyes, tears drying on her cheeks as he talked to her, "Do you remember how I told you I've time traveled before?" She nodded. He continued, "Well, this is the timeline I came from originally. Almost all the memories you have useless here, since the events you remember are ones I had the chance to alter."

"S-so…" She began hesitantly. "I-I have to…play along?"

"Yeah," Naruto smiled somberly. "You're going to have to go with the flow. I'll need your help to change certain events, but on the whole, you're going to be in unfamiliar territory, so you'll have to just follow along for now. I'll tell you about how things originally went in this timeline later, when we'll have no chance of eavesdroppers."

"A-alright," Hinata didn't seem too sure of this idea, but she knew it was for the best. "But don't think that you'll be doing everything by yourself! We're a team."

"Yeah," Naruto whispered back, smiling brightly. He pulled her into a hug. "We're a team."

— o.0.O.O.0.o —

Next time…

"Kankuro," Kankuro looked over at the red-haired boy hanging upside down from a tree like a bat, gulping at the serious tone in the other boy's voice, "You'd do well not to mess with that boy, Uzumaki Naruto. He's way out of your league."

"I-I don't know, Gaara," Kankuro put on a confident air. "He seems pretty weak to me."

"Fool," Gaara spat. "Be a ninja. Look underneath the underneath."

Kankuro looked back over at the blond as Gaara continued, "He may not look like much, but that's just that, appearances. That sword of his has a powerful aura about it, nearly as powerful as Uzumaki's aura…I have no doubt that sword could carve out your soul."

Gaara gave Kankuro a hard stare, "Your puppets would be useless against that enchanted steel. You would be useless against that blade."

"Besides," an excited, bloodthirsty grin stretched across Gaara's face, "He's a Jinchuuriki, just like meI want to be the one to kill him."

Kankuro shivered at the insanity rolling off Gaara in waves, a murderous glint in the Shukaku host's eyes.

— o.0.O.O.0.o —

A/N And here is chapter two of Volume 2. Things are starting to heat up. Yes, Ichigo is the Fifth Division Captain. At least, to me he is. Hey, someone had to be appointed after Aizen defected, so why not Ichigo?

I hope you enjoyed this.

I think I'd better clarify something here. Naruto's chakra, bloodline, memories, and any seals he'd added to his body, are all intact. The only things that aren't intact are the events that led up to these abilities and changes.

I got that Shikai activation phrase from a reviewer, his name was Infinite Freedom. It means, "Bath in the Blood of the Enemy, Zangetsu". My Japanese teacher translated it into Japanese for me. The 'wo' is pronounced 'ō' not 'ŏ' or 'wō' or 'wŏ'.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, Rurouni Kenshin, Bleach, or (Dot) Hack.

So what do you guys think about Naruto's Shikai? What about his new Katana? What do you think about Zangetsu?

As for (Dot) Hack…well, the Avatars are really all I plan to take from there, but…that might change.

As for Naruto and Kidou…he only knows a few offensive Kidou, and one or two binding spells, so he still has a lot to learn. Ichigo is here to teach him more in depth about sword fighting. Naruto trained with Himura, learning to fight a swordsman. He didn't, however, learn to fight against swordsman that had a wealth of Chakra, or one that had an amazing amount of raw strength, like Ichigo.

Volume 1 focused more on the crossover with Dot Hack, this one will have more of a focus on the crossover with Bleach, and the Dot Hack crossover will not be as obvious. Still, that doesn't mean that everything will be Bleach related. Just a few Bleach characters and a few different things used here and there.

I'm trying to tie all these Bleach tidbits into the story line smoothly, so that they seem like they belong there. Tell me if it's too unbelievable.

Twenty points and a cookie to the person who can guess the real reason Volume Two's title is 'Reminisce'!

Oh, and that little thing at the top is all me, except for the quote. The quote comes from GITS: SAC.

Updates will be slow for all my stories, due primarily to the school year.

My Broken Wings, still strong enough to cross the ocean with. How far should a go, drifting in the wind?

James Daniel Fawkes

James Daniel Fawkes(Signature best viewed in Wendy Medium font style)