Of Blood and Bonds

Six years later. Byakuya, Urahara, Yoruichi, and Nemu are waiting the same forest they arrived in 6 years ago. "Where are they?"

"Calm down, Little Byakuya. He said he'd be here in this spot, didn't he?" asked Yoruichi. "Yes, he did. But he's late," replied Byakuya. "Are you going to fault him for being a few minutes late?" Just then, a portal opened in front of them. Out came Team SS. "Yo. How are things, Byakuya-sensei?"

"Naruto, you have the ability to travel through time, and you're late?" "Sorry, Byakuya-sensei." Naruto was clutching his heart and breathing heavily. "Did using that kido really wear you out that much?" asked Yoruichi. "No. Head-Captain Yamamoto warned me about this. There are two of me existing at the same time currently. But because my younger self has a body, he is alright while I am, in essence, dying. My soul cannot exist without a body."

"So how are you able to help us on this mission?" asked Nel. "Yamamoto gave me something to help me." Naruto turned to Rukia. "Rukia, do you still have that glove?" Rukia nodded. Naruto turned to Byakuya. "Byakuya-sensei, go get my younger self to come out here. "

"What are you going to do, Naruto?" asked Byakuya. "Something terrible. Just go get him. Just him." Byakuya went to find young Naruto. After a bit of searching, he found Naruto at Ichiraku. "Excuse me, Naruto." "Hey, Byakuya-nii-san. What are you doing here?"

"I thought that I could give you some hands-on training myself. What do you think?" Naruto's face became ecstatic. "Of course! Let's go. She is going to be so jealous of me when she hears of this." Byakuya replied, "I'll bet she will."

Byakuya led little Naruto to the forest. "Well, what are we going to start with first?" "First, I want to introduce you to someone. Come out." Out of the shadows came Rukia dressed in a kimono (gigai given to her by Urahara). "Hello, Naruto-san. I am Rukia Kuchiki." She stuck her hand out for him to shake. "Nice to meet you. Are you going to help me train?" But when their hands met, Rukia tightened her grip and pulled hard. In that moment, Rukia pulled young Naruto's soul from his body.

When Naruto saw his body, he screamed, "Oh no!!! I'm dead! I'll never be able to have ramen again." "You're not dead, Naruto." Naruto turned to the voice to find a blond-haired man. "You see that chain on your chest? That is called a Soul Chain. As long as that chain connects you to that body over there, you are not dead."

"D-Dad?" "No, I am not your father." He walked towards little Naruto. "Well then, who are you?" asked young Naruto. "I am you; or rather I am what you will become." He put his hand on young Naruto's shoulder. "I am sorry," Naruto said sadly.

Focusing his reiatsu, Naruto shouted, "Bakudo 97: Merge!" A bright light erupted at their connection, and their soul-bodies swirled together. Both Naruto's screamed in agony. When the light subsided, only the young Naruto was left standing. Almost immediately, Naruto collapsed to the ground. Nel rushed to his side and tried to help him up. "I'm fine, Nel. I can get up." She looked puzzled. "How did you know my name, Naruto-kun?"

"Nel, it's me. Your captain," replied Naruto. "Prove it." "Your name is Neliel Tu Oderschvank, but you prefer Nel. You are the former Tercera Espada. In the future, but 14 years ago to all of us, you joined the Gotei 13 and became the new Squad 5 lieutenant; my lieutenant. That sword you carry is your zanpakuto. It is called Gamuza."

Everyone looked puzzled. "If you truly are Naruto-taichou, then tell us: How are you in that form and what happened to the other Naruto?" asked Nel. "I used Bakudo 97. It fuses souls together. But there is a heavy price. One soul becomes dominant and takes control. The other is absorbed into the dominant soul. In simple terms, that Naruto, the 6-year old Naruto that Byakuya brought here, is now a part of my soul and no longer exists among the living." Naruto walked towards his body and phased into it. Naruto slowly got up.

"Wow. This version of me; it's a lot stronger than I was at this age." "Well Naruto, you have daily training sessions with your father. And speaking of your family, there's something you should know." "Later, Byakuya-sensei. Or should I say, Byakuya-nii-san? I'm gonna to go to my house. Where is it, by the way?"

"You and your family live in the Hokage Mansion. But Naruto, there's something you should really hear." But Naruto just Shunpo-ed away. "Should you chase after him?" asked Yoruichi. "No. Let him find out for himself. Something like that, you need to see for yourself," replied Urahara. "I agree," said Byakuya as he started to walk away. But he turned around, looking into the distance, puzzled. "Is something wrong, Byakuya-nii-sama?" asked Rukia. "Byakuya shrugged it off. "No, it's nothing. I thought i sensed something."

Nearby, three figures were observing what has happened. "So, that's him. Hard to believe that he will be responsible for creating Hellfire. Let's go," said a young, short woman. "Shouldn't you go to him? Shouldn't you tell him?" asked an older woman. "No, you imbecile," snapped an older, cockier man, "He doesn't need to know about that. We will observe him and help him when Hellfire arrives." The younger woman said, "He's right. Beside, how do you tell someone that they will lead the world to destruction all because of the death of a single man? He shouldn't have that burden. Let's go." And the three left.

Moments later, Naruto appeared in front of the Hokage Mansion, breathing heavily. "Whoa! I thought using a Flash Step in this young body would tire it out more. Those training sessions with Dad must be pretty intense." Naruto walked into the mansion and headed straight for the office. Without even knocking, Naruto went straight into the room. "Naruto, don't you know how to knock? I know your mother taught you better manners than that." The voice came from a blond-haired man in a blue Jounin jumpsuit. And, for the first time in almost 50 years of his life, Naruto started to cry. He was finally seeing his father, alive and well, doing paperwork while he was talking with him. Minato noticed that Naruto was upset. "Naruto, why are you crying? And why is your face all dirty? Did you and Mizore get into another fight again? I told you two to stop fighting. Every time you fight with her, I have to hear it from Mom." Naruto seemed lost at what his father said. "Dad, I didn't fight with anyone. I fell. People do fall."

"Well, as long as you two aren't fighting. By the way, have you seen Mizore around? I haven't seen her since breakfast." He looked up at the ceiling. "Naruto, you should get that lump checked." "What lump?" A few seconds later, a body fell on Naruto's head. "That huge lump on your head." The body got up and started mocking Naruto. "My goodness, little brother. You didn't even react. What happened?"

Naruto looked at this girl. She had blue eyes and long blonde hair, with a fox-like grin. "This must be Mizore. She looks almost just like ...me... Come on, sis. Even I have off-days. But bear in mind that will be the last time you catch me off guard." Just then, someone knocked at the door. "Come in." A young man, about 13, wearing an Anbu uniform, came walking in. "Ah. Good morning, Itachi. I take it you have your report?" "Yes, Yondaime-sama."

"Naruto, Mizore. I need to talk with Itachi in private. Why don't go down stairs and see if Mom has lunch ready?" Both nodded. "See ya later, Dad." They left the room, and Naruto Flash-Stepped away to atop the statue heads.

"BYAKUYA!!! GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE RIGHT NOW!!!!!" Almost immediately, Byakuya appeared. "Is something wrong?" Naruto grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him down to his level. "Don't you think you should have mentioned that I have a sister now!?!?"

"I tried to tell you, but you left too quickly." Naruto growled and pushed Byakuya away. "I gave you a simple job: Observe myself and my family to learn my habits and nature so that when I come here, I don't stick out like a sore thumb. I almost blew my cover because I didn't know who she was. By the way, how is she even here? I was an only child."

"Yes, you were, when your parents were dead. But when you came back, you changed more than you thought. Orihime's Soten Kisshun reversed time around your mother's wound and anything inside her wound, which happened to be over her uterus." Naruto's eyes grew wide. "Are you saying that because I took this mission and saved them, I am responsible for the existence of my sister, Mizore?" Byakuya replied, "Twin sister, and yes. You gave your sister her life."

Naruto looked like he got hit by a cold fish. "What all has changed?" "Well, you are no longer hated by the villagers. They now see you as a hero. You are known throughout the village's clans' leaders. They all wish you to meet with their daughters." Naruto flinched; he could just imagined being set up with Sakura or Ino. "What about Sakura? Is she still nuts about Sasuke?"

"Yes. She constantly follows him and whacks you upside the head." Naruto laughed. "At least some things never change. Well, how am I? What is the me of this timeline like?"

"He is known as Naruto Uzumaki. Your family decided to take Kushina's last name to protect you and your sister. He's always smiling. Constantly running around. You enjoy spending time with your friends Kiba, Shikamaru, Choji, and Sasuke. You also are constantly competing with your sister in a variety of ways, like who's the better fighter, who's faster, and like today, who's more skilled at hiding their presence. And, you like to spend time with Kakashi Hatake, Itachi Uchiha, your father, and your mother."

"Sounds like I now a very social person; not at all like I was in my timeline at this age. Well, I guess that we should go and find my sister and mom. If we're lucky, Dad is finished with his meeting with ... Itachi...Oh man! I almost forgot what day it was!" "What day is it, Naruto?"

"A very horrible day in Konoha's history. Let's hurry home." Byakuya and Naruto hurried back to Naruto's house. When they reached it, they went inside immediately. "Where have you been, little brother? We have to be back at the Academy in only 10 minutes!" Mizore ran past Naruto. Naruto turned and saw a red-haired woman cleaning up a table. She had blue eyes; the exact same shape as Naruto's. "Naruto, you'd better hurry back. I'll have something for you when you get home today." Naruto nodded and ran off to the Academy. "Hello, Kushina."

"Hello, Byakuya. What were you and Naruto doing?" "We were just talking. That's all." Kushina had a knowing look in her eyes. "If you're doing something to Naruto that's going to seriously mess him up, I'm going to make sure that what I'm going to do to you will be far worse than any Hollow you've ever faced." Byakuya gulped. "How does Minato survive against this woman?"

At the Academy, Naruto was extremely bored. Taking the classes is boring, but having to go through them twice in your life is mind-numbing. "Naruto, would you please wake up?" Shikamaru nudged Naruto in the ribs. "I'm all for sleeping in class. But if you do, then Iruka-sensei will start yelling." "Ahhhhh. Right, sorry." Naruto looked around the classroom. Every seat but one was filled. "I wonder who's not here?" Naruto shrugged it off and continued looking around. His eyes stopped on Sasuke. "I'm sorry, Sasuke. I wish you didn't have to go through tonight." After class let out, Sasuke stayed behind for training. Naruto noticed this. "It has begun."

Later that night, Naruto waited outside the Uchiha district. "Itachi, I know the truth. And with that truth, maybe it can help both of us." Someone came running out of the main gate, dressed in a traditional Anbu Black Op uniform. Naruto stated loudly, "You made the right choice, Itachi Uchiha." "Naruto-san? What are you doing here?"

"Offering you a deal. But first, tell me why you did it? Was it to save your brother? Let's see if this has changed." "In a way, yes. My clan, with their foolish pride and superiority complex, decided to stage a coup. It would have led to the destruction of my family and the villagers."

"I see. So it didn't change. That's good. Did Madara help you?" Itachi looked shocked. "How do you know about him?" "That's unimportant. What is important is that I need your help, Itachi. I know that you are joining Akatsuki in an effort to allow Sasuke to avenge the clan and to protect the village from Madara. I also know that eventually Madara will decide to go after the Bijuu. I need you to inform me when and where these events will take place. Think of this offer as a way to atone for your so-called, sin."

"If you know that these things will happen, what will you do?" "Everything in my power to make sure that fewer people suffer." Itachi thought about the offer for a few minutes. "All right. But I want you to tell me something: How do you know all this?" "Naruto chuckled, "I will explain everything, all in due time. Now go, Itachi. Join that organization. Let's try and stop the bloodshed." Itachi nodded and disappeared into the night.

The next day, everybody was talking about the horrible tragedy that had befallen Sasuke Uchiha; his entire clan wiped out. Naruto went to the Konoha Library. "Well, I have six peaceful years before anything interesting happens. I might as well use that time to my advantage." Naruto checked out a number of books, and went for home. "I'll just copy down the most vital parts of these books and add them to my own library. Once I'm finished, I have the most detailed library with information on Konoha and Soul S... Whoa!" Naruto had bumped into someone. "I-I'm sorry."

"No, it's my fault, miss. I wasn't watching where...I...was...going." He finally saw the face of the person he bumped into. She had dark blue hair and pale lavender eyes. "Are you okay? S-Sorry about that. I'm..." But Naruto interrupted her. "Hinata? Hinata Hyuga?" She looked stunned. "How did you know my name?" "Naruto seemed flustered. "I gotta go!" Naruto gathered his books and ran off. When he felt he was a safe distant, Naruto finally stopped. "How is this possible? It can't be her!"

Naruto wanted some answers, and he knew the perfect person to go to. Naruto went home and down some stairs to an underground cavern (Urahara built it. Modeled after his play area in Soul Society). "Urahara?" "Ah, Naruto-san! What is it you want?"

"Urahara, is it possible for a human soul to become a zanpakuto?" "Well, it's not unheard of. So yes, it is certainly possible. There is a 1 in 100,000 chance that a Whole will become a zanpakuto instead of a normal spirit. Why do you ask?" "I just met my future zanpakuto. It's Hinata Hyuga." "The heiress?" Naruto nodded.

"I suggest you talk with her. Not Hinata, I mean. I mean Hina-hime." Naruto did as he said and went inside his own mind. He appeared in an empty place with large rock formations hovering in the air. "Hello, Naruto-kun."

"Hello, Hina-hime. Or should I say, Hinata?"Hina-hime smiled. "Yes. I once went by that name. It has been so long." "Why didn't you ever tell me who you were?"

"There are some things that the mind must discover on its own. And besides, I had hoped that you would figure it out without me telling you." "So what should I do?" "What do you mean?" Naruto replied, "I want to save you. If I do, then you will not exist and all that we have accomplished together will be erased. If I don't then you will die, and I can't bear to see that again."

"I can only tell you to listen to your heart and make the choice that seems right to you." Naruto thought about this for a while. He sighed heavily, "I know what I have to do. Thank you, Hina-hime." Naruto disappeared, and Hina-hime sighed. "You still don't realize who I am. How unfortunate."

Naruto returned to the real world. Naruto immediately went to his room and began taking notes on his books. Eventually, he came across a purple notebook. Inside were various pressed flowers. "This must be Hinata's. I guess I'm making a house call." The next morning, Naruto went down to breakfast, but not before setting a trap for Mizore. Naruto sat down and started to enjoy a nice home-cooked breakfast made by his mother. "Naruto, do you know where Mizore is?" With a smile, Naruto said, "No idea, Mom. I bet she's just hanging around somewhere. Excuse, Byakuya-nii-san, but where is my Dad?"

"He's on his way down. He's getting ready so he can go the heads of clans to discuss recent events." Shortly, Minato came down the stairs, dressed in his Jounin uniform with his cloak over it. "All right everyone, I'm going to be gone for a while. I have to explain what happened to the other heads of the clans."

"Hey Dad, would that include the Hyuga clan?" Minato nodded. "Would you mind if I tag along?" "Uh, sure. I don't see why not. Hurry up and get dressed." Naruto dashed upstairs and went straight to his closet. Inside were various orange shirts and pants. "Uh. I really need to change my wardrobe." Naruto threw on the most formal outfit he had and went down to his Dad. "Ready."

"Alright Naruto, let's go." As they were walking out the door, a scream was heard upstairs. "What the hell? Naruto!!!!!" "Naruto said with a sly smile, "Gotta go!", and he ran off. "Minato, you go to your meetings. I'll go and help Mizore." Kushina went upstairs to find Mizore dangling upside-down up a trip-rope trap. "Here, Mizore." Kushina tossed her daughter a kunai. "Thanks Mom. And now I'll get Naruto back." She cut the rope, but as soon as she hit the ground, another rope trap sprung, and she was back in the air again. `Mizore began swearing loudly, but Kushina didn't hear this. "He set a trap right below the first one? He's never done that. Since when did he get so great at setting traps?"

Naruto and Minato made their way over to the Hyuga Compound. A branch member greeted them at the gate. "Good morning, Yondaime-sama. And you too, Naruto-kun. May I ask what brings you here today?" "I need to speak with Hiashi-sama. Naruto, why did you need to be here?" Naruto pulled out a purple notebook. "I ran into Hinata Hyuga yesterday. When I left, I accidently took her book by mistake. I wish to apologize and return it to her."

"Well, you're both in luck. Hiashi-sama and Hinata-sama are training in the courtyard right now. You may go in." Naruto and Minato bowed, and proceed to the main courtyard. In there, Hiashi was attacking Hinata and she was practicing dodging. "Hinata-sama is getting better every day, Hiashi. You should be proud." Hiashi turned to Minato and smiled. "Yes, I am. She is still a little rough, but progressing nicely. Now, I take it you are here because of recent events?" Minato nodded. "Hinata, take a break. I will go and discuss things with Yondaime-sama." "Yes, Father."

Minato and Hiashi left to go inside. Naruto walked towards Hinata. "Hi. I'm Naruto Uzumaki. I accidently bumped into you yesterday, and I took your book by mistake. Sorry." Naruto handed her the notebook. "Those are some very nice flowers in there. You have a natural talent." Hinata blushed and stuttered, "T-Thank you, Naruto-sama."

Naruto had an offended look on his face. "Please, if you wouldn't mind, don't refer to me in that way." "But it is the r-right way to. You are the son of Yondaime-sama. You are also the hero that saved us from the N-Nine-Tailed F-F-Fox. It is respect."

"I'm no hero. My father did all the work. I'm just a cage for the monster." Naruto sat down, and Hinata followed. "You have no idea what it's like to have this monster inside you." "How bad is it, Naruto-sama?" "First, you can refer to me as anything but 'Naruto-sama.' You can even go as far as call me, 'Naruto-baka.' Second, every day I have an uneasy feeling that it wants to take me over. Every day I have to keep my guard up so he can't win. If I let it down even for a second, everyone will suffer. And third," Naruto said as his eyes grew extremely sad, "some of the villagers give me cold looks. These looks feel like they're rejecting my own existence; just because of something that happened six years ago. They think I'm a monster. They think I'm the Nine-Tailed Fox."

Hinata slowly grabbed Naruto's hand. "You are not that creature. You are a person who is loved by his family and respected by his fellow villagers. You are ... a savior." Naruto was speechless; the Hinata he knew was never like this. "Thank you, Hinata." Naruto got up. "Come on. I want to show you something." Hinata stood up. Naruto wrapped her arm around his waist. Blushing, Hinata asked, "Naruto-san, what are you doing?" "I need you to hold on tight. And don't let go." Naruto looked into her eyes. "Take a deep breath." Hinata did, and Naruto Shunpo-ed away.

They arrived on top on a mountain, and Hinata staggered. "Easy, easy. Yeah, it tends to be rough the first time." "Naruto-san, what did you do?"

"It's called Shunpo. It allows me to travel very fast." "Where are we?" Naruto walked towards the edge of the mountain. "On top of my father's head. We're on the Hokage Faces Mountain. Come here and take a look." Hinata slowly walked towards Naruto and saw the amazing sight. From where they were, they could see the entire village. "A-Amazing! It's so beautiful."

"I come up here whenever I'm troubled or just feel like thinking. Last night, I came up here and I thought of the reason why I was given this curse. I came up with numerous answers, but one always stood above others. This curse is, in reality, hope." He turned to Hinata. "Hinata, do you know what a Jinchuuriki is?" "N-No, Naruto-san." "A Jinchuuriki is a person who possesses a Bijuu, or Tailed Beast, and is able to use its' power. The host and Bijuu fight as one, each looking out for the other. When all of the Bijuu's power is under the host's control, he or she is able to turn into the Bijuu itself. Do you understand, Hinata? I am a Jinchuuriki, and I will use its' power to protect all those that are precious to me. And eventually, my entire village. I think you can see where this is going." Naruto raised his hand as if grasping the sun. "To become the Hokage, that is my dream." He turned to Hinata. "What is your dream, Hinata?"

"I wish to, when I become the head of the clan, dissolve the ties of hatred between the main family and the branch family. I want to free the branch members of their curse, and allow them to work alongside the main family members as equals." Naruto chuckled, "A noble dream. Very well, I will make you a deal. If you help me with my dream, I will help you with your dream. What do you say?"

"What can you possibly do, Naruto-san?" "Ha. You'd be surprised at some of the things I am able to do.. Well, what is your answer?" "Yes. I will help." Naruto smiled his trademark fox grin. "Excellent. I think we can really make a difference. Thank you, Hinata-chan. Now, grab on. I should get you back before your father finds out you're gone." Hinata quickly grabbed Naruto's arm and they disappeared.

They re-appeared in the courtyard moments before Minato and Hiashi came out. "Are you ready, Naruto?" Naruto nodded. Minato beckoned him to come, and Naruto followed. He turned around and said, "Later, Hinata-chan! I'll see ya around!" As he faded from her sight, Hinata quietly said, "Bye, Naruto-kun."

Naruto and Minato began walking towards their next destination. "Naruto, earlier I sensed a weird type of chakra. Did something happen when you were with Hinata-sama?" "Nope." Minato replied, "Oh, OK. I can tell, Naruto. You did something. You've been acting strange lately. I just hope the seal isn't breaking.

Naruto has returned to his past life. Will the knowledge of future and present events change the outcome? Also, Naruto befriends Hinata at an early age. Will this have major effects? Stay tuned to find out.

Next time: Test of Trust

This is my biggest chapter i have ever written. I had a lot of fun writing this one. Please review and tell me what you think.

Bakudo 97: Merge: A forbidden Kido. Forces two souls to become one. One soul becomes in control. The other submits.

Shunpo: Flash Step. Allows the user to travel at a very high level of speed in the timespan of a "flash."