Yo everybody! Another chapter done in an exceptionally fast amount of time for me. Hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: Bleach and Naruto belong to their proper owners. Whom aren't me.

Chapter Six: Exile and The Vow

Squad 8 Barracks
The Following Morning

Naruto yawned as walked through the barracks. He had maybe gotten four or five hours of sleep last night. So needless to say, he was exhausted.

"Naruto."

Naruto glanced behind him. It was Captain Kyoraku. And Naruto could tell something was wrong from his captain's demeanor and attire. Shunsui's straw hat and pink coat were missing. And normally cheerful man had a forlorn and depressed expression.

"We need to talk..." Shunsui said. "Something bad happened last night."

Instantly, images of Sakura and Kenshi lying dead in Rukongai filled Naruto's mind.

'No...Please God...Don't let them be dead...'

"Wh...What happened?" he asked.

"Let's step into my office." Shunsui said.

Five minutes later, they arrived at Shunsui's office. Naruto sat down on a chair in front of the desk while his captain sat down behind his desk. Shunsui let out a tired, worn out sigh and started talking. "The full details are sketchy to say the least. But what we know is this. Last night someone preformed a taboo experiment on ten soul reapers."

"Taboo experiment?"

"They broke down they barrier between soul reaper and hollow, turning those ten into...well I don't know what."

"Something like an arrancar?" Naruto asked.

"Similar yes."

"Who would do such a thing?"

Shunsui sighed. "Supposedly...Urahara."

"What?! There's no way Urahara would such a thing! His freaky Third-Seat I could see, but him? No way!"

"I agree. I don't believe he did it." Shunsui said. "A man like him would never such a thing. But that doesn't really matter. The Central 46 has declared him the culprit and would have been striped of his powers and exiled to the world of the living, if someone hadn't rescued him along the Captain of the Kido Crops who had used two forbidden spells last night. But what the Central 46 declared be done to victims of this terrible experiment is far worse. Execution."

Naruto slammed his fists into the desk. "WHAT?! Someone experiments on them and they get executed for it!! How is that even remotely fair?!"

"It gets worse." Shunsui said. "The ten are Shinji Hirako, Love Aikawa, Rojuro Otoribashi, Hachigen Ushoda, Kensei Muguruma, Mashiro Kuna, Hiyori Sarugaki...and Lisa Yadomaru, Sakura Haruno and Kenshi Mitsurugi."

Naruto staggered for a moment. "No..." Naruto weakly said. "We can't let them be executed!"

"It's too late. When Urahara escaped, they disappeared as well. But the execution order still stands. So if they ever did set foot in the Seireitei again, they'd be executed. The same if someone finds them and reports them back to Headquarters, it'll be the same thing. They've been branded outlaws and monsters."

"They aren't monsters!!" Naruto shouted,slamming his fists again into the desk and startling his captain.

This whole situation was reminding him too much of his experiences of being the container for the Kyuubi. Being hated because of something that was done to them. Something they had no control over. He had to help them. There had to be a way to convince the Central 46 to change their minds.

"There has to be someone who can convince the Central 46 to change their minds." Naruto said desperately.

"Only the Captain-General could reverse an execution order from the Central 46. Or if all twelve Captains vote against the execution. Unfortunately, it takes twelve Captain voting against the order to do that. And at the moment, there aren't enough captains."

"Then lets talk to the Old Man. We can convince him to reserve the execution order."

"Old Man Yama won't. Though he has the power to veto an execution order from the Central 46. He believes so strongly in the Central 46 and their decisions, that he's never used it. And I doubt he ever will. I'm sorry Naruto."

Naruto hung his head while fighting back tears. It was too much. Growing up in Konoha, Naruto had the Third Hokage to protect him from angry people in the village as well as from the Village Council, who would have likely either executed him or turned him into a weapon. Now, two of his nakama and eight other innocent people were being branded as monsters. And there was no one that could or wanted to help them. Instead, they'd being called outlaws, traitors and monsters and ordered to be executed, forcing them to flee their home.

"It's not fair!" Naruto shouted as he slammed his fists on the desk again, this time, creating cracks in the surface of the desk. "They did nothing! And the Central 46 brands them as monsters and orders their execution! Where is the justice in that?! It's nothing but bullshit!!"

Shunsui sighed. "I know Naruto. It's beyond unfair and unjust. But only the Captain-General could reverse an execution order from the Central 46. But he won't. Jushiro and I tried a short while ago to convince him to reverse it but he refused."

Naruto stopped fighting back his tears. Tears crawled down his cheeks but he didn't care anymore. He thought he had felt helpless last night but now he truly couldn't help them.

"Take a couple of weeks off Naruto. You need it." his Captain said. "And if you see Nanao, send her to my office. I'll tell her what happened to Lisa."

Nanao idolized Lisa. It was going to be just as heartbreaking for her.

"I'll tell her tell captain." Naruto said.

"If that's what you want, then okay."

Under the Sokyoku Hill
A Few Hours Later

Kenshi slowly opened his eyes. He had a massive headache and there was something on his face. He sat up and pulled it off his face. It was a mask. It's insane demonic grin unsettled him greatly. What the hell was something like this doing on his face?

Kenshi took a look at his surroundings. At first, he thought he was in some wasteland. But he quickly realized it was a massive chamber designed to look like a wasteland. He was also sitting in a row with four people other who currently unconscious . On his right was Captain Muguruma. On left was Captain Aikawa, Sakura and Lisa. There was another of unconscious people behind him. Mashiro, Captains Hirako and Otoribashi, Hiyori and Kido Crops Lieutenant Ushoda. All of them were wearing masks and all of their clothes were damaged and bloodstained. What were all of them doing here? He could understand the Captain and Mashiro being with him but the rest...Why were they here? And where was here?

"What the hell happened?" he said to himself.

Kenshi closed and tried to remember what happened. He remembered investigating the soul disappearances in the Rukongai. The battle with the huge hollow. The discovery of uniforms of the advance team. Tosen's betrayal. Pain...Darkness... Suddenly, the image of a hollow entered his mind and roared at him. Kenshi's eyes shot open. That had hollow had the same mask that he was holding. Again he wondered what happened after he blacked out and where these masks came from.

Kensei groaned and sat up. "What the...What the hell is this?" Kensei said as pulled off his mask and looked around. "Kenshi, what the hell's going on?"

"I have no idea captain. I woke up a minute ago with this thing on my face." Kenshi said, showing him the mask.

"Ah...I see you've started to wake up." a voice said. "How are you feeling?"

Both Kensei and Kenshi turned to the voice. Walking up to them was Captains Urahara, Yoruichi and Tessai.

"I have a splitting headache." Kensei said. "But that doesn't matter. Kaname Tosen and Gin Ichimaru are traitors and are likely behind the soul disappearances."

"We know." Urahara said. "Lieutenant Aizen is the ringleader of the whole thing."

"What? Shinji's lieutenant?" Kensei said in disbelief.

Hawk had to admit, he found it difficult to believe as well. Aizen was too nice to be responsible for all this. Of course, he didn't believe that Tosen could have betrayed them and yet he did.

"Yes. He was preforming hollow transformation experiments on souls in Rukongai." Urahara replied. "For what purpose, I do not entirely know. But the ten of you were the latest victims of his experiments."

Both Hawk's and Kensei's eyes widened in horror. "Wha...What?!" Kensei stammered.

"Yes. You heard me right." Urahara said. "I'll explain everything when everyone else wakes up."

At that moment, Lisa and Rojuro sat up and pulled off their masks. The two of them looked around before turning to Kensei and Hawk. "Kensei, Hawk, you're normal again." a surprised Rose said.

"Normal? What are you talking about?" Hawk asked.

"You don't remember? The two of you and Mashiro had transformed into hollow-like creatures." Lisa answered.

Both Squad 9 members became pale. "We attacked you guys, didn't we?" Kensei grimly said.

"Yes...But it wasn't your fault Kensei. You weren't yourself. None of you were." Lisa said trying to comfort the two.

It didn't really work that well. Both still felt guilt over what happened.

"Pathetic..." a voice whispered, startling Hawk.

He looked around for the source of the voice but didn't anyone besides them.

"Hawk, what is it?" Kensei asked.

"Didn't you hear that voice?"

All the other soul reaper gave him confused looks. "What are you talking about?"

"I heard a voice whisper 'Pathetic'." Kenshi said. "You didn't here that?"

Everyone shook their heads. Hawk put a hand to his forehead. "Maybe I'm just going crazy."

The others then began to stir. One by one they all woke up. When Sakura woke up, she immediately hugged Hawk, tears in her eyes, happy to see him back to normal. Once everyone was up, they looked concerned and confused about what was going on. Save for Shinji, who looked bitter and angry.

Urahara looked around at the group. "Now that everyone's awake, I have somethings to tell-"

"Urahara...What have you gotten yourself into now." a voice interrupted.

Everyone turned to the direction of the voice. It was Squad 10 Captain Isshin Kurosaki. Urahara, Yoruichi and Tessai all tensed up as though they were expecting a fight. "How did you find us?" Yoruichi asked.

"Relax." Isshin said. "I don't believe what they're saying about you for a minute. Nor am I here for them. As to how I found you, I remembered from when we were younger, you and Urahara would frequently sneak out to the Sokyoku Hill. So I figured that if you were still here, then you were likely hiding out somewhere near the Sokyoku Hill. And here you are. So why don't you just tell us all what happened."

Urahara nodded explained how Aizen was responsible for the disappearing souls over the past month. He had been conducting Hollowification experiments on the souls of the Rukongai. He then used an unknown agent on Kensei, Mashiro and Kenshi after Tosen and Gin defeated them. Turning them into half-hollow creatures. Then somehow when the rest of them were trying to restrain the three, Aizen must have exposed them to the same agent. Then Urahara explained his failed attempts at curing them with the Hogyoku. Then the Central 46 arresting Urahara and Tessai and their joke of hearing. Somehow Aizen had been seen by 124 guardsmen and officers and a single captain during the time of incident. Giving him a prefect alibi.

"I still don't understand how he did that trick." Urahara commented.

"Absolute Hypnosis." Shinji said. "The ability of his zanpaku-to. For the last month, he was in the Rukongai, doing his experiments while a double posed as him. And none of us knew. Hell, he could have been there the whole time, exposing us to whatever it was that transformed us and we would have never known."

"Likely. But regardless, I tried to tell the Central 46 what happened. But they didn't believe me. They sentence Tessai to prison for using forbidden kido spells and sentence me to have my powers removed and exiled to the world of the living." Urahara then paused for moment. "They ordered that all of you be dealt with as hollows."

All ten hollowified soul reapers stared at him in disbelief. "Wh...What?" Sakura stammered. "They want to execute us?"

"Those brain dead retards!!" an enraged Hiyori shouted. "They're a bunch of fucking moronic old geezers!! If I ever get my hands on them!! I'll beat the crap out of those old geezers!! The same goes for that four-eyed jackass Aizen!!"

Hiyori continued to shouted and swear at the Central 46 and Aizen. It didn't look like she was going to stop anytime soon.

"Calm down Hiyori." Urahara said after it became apparent that she wasn't going to stop anytime soon. "I still have somethings to explain."

Hiyori grumbled but stopped her shouting. Urahara cleared his throat and continued. "While you were all unconscious, Tessai cast the Temporal Stasis spell over this area. For us, over twenty hours have passed but to the rest of the world, only a couple of hours have past. During that time, I created untraceable gigais for Tessai, myself and all of you. We're going to hide on Earth for the time being. I swear to you all, I will find a way to cure you."

"Then what?" Hawk said. "It's likely that the Central 46 won't believe that we're cured or they may decide to execute us anyway rather than take a chance on us. Nor would they listen to our claims about Aizen without any proof...which we don't have. And you'll still be exiled for a crime you didn't commit. Then there's Aizen and whatever he's planning. He'll probably further manipulate things against us to ensure that will be never return. Truthfully, there is no going back for us. At least unless Aizen reveals his true self to the rest of the 13 Court Guard Squads. Or we find undeniable proof that Aizen's up to no good."

"Is that what your gut's telling you?" Kensei asked.

Hawk sighed and nodded his head. "Yes. You know some times, I really hate my intuition. It's never lied to me, even when I wanted it to."

"How can your gut tell you that much?" Love asked.

"It isn't telling me all that. I have this feeling that we won't be setting foot in the Soul Society for a long time...if ever again. The rest is just rational thinking."

"So that's it then? We're forced to leave our home and hide on Earth because of what was done to us." Sakura said dejectedly.

"Unfortunately, yes." Urahara solemnly said.

"What about you two, Yoruichi, Isshin? What are you going to do?" Shinji asked.

"They'll eventually figure out that I helped out all of you. So I will escape on my own to the world of the living after I throw them off your trail." Yoruichi replied.

"Nobody knows that I'm here. So I'll stay here and keep an eye on things." Isshin said.

Urahara nodded. "Alright then, time to get into our gigais and get out of here before anyone unfriendly comes knocking. Bring them out Tessai."

Tessai nodded and walked behind a rocky outcropping and pulled out a dozen wooden coffins. "Alright ladies and gentlemen. Pass 'em out and put 'em on." Urahara said as he and Tessai passed the gigais out.

A few minutes later, everybody was in their gigais.

"Hey. These aren't half bad. Normally, gigais always feel too small and always seem to chafe. But these...these feel natural." Shinji said as he inspected his gigai.

"Well I figured these gigais had to be more comfortable than normal ones since we're gonna be in them for the foreseeable future." Urahara said. "Anyone having any problems with there gigais?"

There was a chorus of 'nos'

"...Then it's time to go." Urahara said as he opened up the Senkaimon.

The hollowified soul reaper all glanced at each other. Everyone had forlorn expressions on their faces. The Soul Society had been their home for years. Many, many years for some. And they weren't even sure if they were ever going to see it again. They all started walking one by one into the portal, save for Yoruichi and Isshin.

"I wish we had gotten a chance to say good bye to Naruto and Sasuke." Sakura said quietly.

Kenshi turned to Isshin. "Captain Kurosaki, could you deliver a message to Naruto and Sasuke for us?"

"Sure."

"Tell them good bye for us and not to worry about us or do anything stupid or we'll kick their asses. But don't tell them about Aizen and the others. They'd likely get themselves killed trying to avenge us."

Isshin nodded. "I'll tell them."

"Thanks." Hawk and Sakura said before they followed the others into the gateway.

Sakura and Kenshi both took one last glance before stepping into the Senkaimon.

"Good bye Naruto, Sasuke." Sakura whispered as they stepped into the doors.

Squad 13 Barracks
Six Days Later

"Naruto and Nanao certainly didn't take the news very well. When Nanao found out, she spent the entire day and nightn crying in Lisa's room. It took both Naruto and me to get her out of Lisa's room." Shunsui sighed. "I hate to see girls crying. Naruto's pretty much the same. He's been moping around the place ever since."

"Sasuke isn't much different." Jushiro said before taking a sip of tea. "After I told him, he became furious and went to the Division Dojo to blow off some steam. He ended up sending a third of my Division's unseated guardsmen to the Fourth Division. Since then, he's been short tempered with just about everyone."

Shunsui chuckled. "You sound surprised Jushiro. You shouldn't be. The four of them are nakama. They knew each other for years before coming to our world. So it's only natural that they would be among those hit the hardest by this whole incident. Though I think Naruto is probably taking it the hardest out of anyone. He grew up hated and treated as a monster by just about anyone. Now, two of the first people to acknowledge him as a friend, have received the same fate he grew up with and he can't do anything about it. Frankly, there's not much anyone can do. Old Man Yama's the only one who can. And he ain't doing anything. I doubt he ever will."

"Indeed. Yamamoto has always followed the laws without question." Jushiro replied. "All we could have done to help would have been to help Yoruichi with their escape."

"True. But we would have likely been forced into self-imposed exile as well. And that's something the 13 Court Guards Squads can't afford now."

"Yes. With seven Captains and four Lieutenants gone, we can afford the loss of any more captains."

"So have they found any replacements yet?"

"The Third Seat of Squad 12 is now in charge of the Research and Development Institute and will likely become the next captain of the Division. Lieutenant Aizen will likely become Captain of the Fifth or at least run the Division for the short term. Same is likely true for Lieutenant Komamura of Squad 7, Lieutenant Sugita of Squad 3 and Lieutenant Kanda of Squad 2. Third Seat Kaname Tosen is the only high ranking officer left in the Ninth, he'll probably take things over for the short term. As Kido Crops...well I'd have to say that whoever was the third-in-command would take over. But even then, things are going to be difficult for the next couple of years." Jushiro said. "Speaking of that, have you picked your new Lieutenant yet?"

Shunsui sighed. He had been thinking about that. But the problem was that, he couldn't see anyone replacing Lisa. And yet again, he found himself regretting sending her out there in the first place. "No. I just can't see anyone replacing her at the moment. Maybe Naruto or Nanao when they get a bit stronger but otherwise, there's no one. I never should have sent her out."

Jushiro put his hand on his friend's shoulder. "Don't so hard on yourself Shunsui. You couldn't have seen what was going to happen. I sure you'll find the right person for the job eventually."

West Rukongai First District
Elsewhere

Naruto and Sasuke stood on the old bridge that always reminded them of Konoha. Neither said anything. It was hard to believe that one week ago was the last time they had seen Sakura and Kenshi. Now, they didn't know if they would ever see them again. Fate really seemed to hate them.

"Ah. There you two are. I've been waiting for a moment like this to talk to you two in private." a voice said.

The two turned to the approaching figure. It was Captain Isshin Kurosaki.

"What do you want?" Sasuke asked.

"Before they left, you nakama asked me to give you a message."

Both Naruto's and Sasuke's eyes widened. "What is it?" Naruto asked.

"Good bye. And don't worry about them or do anything stupid. Or they'll kick your asses."

Weak smiles spread across both of their lips and Naruto chuckled a bit. "They're alright? They're safe?"

"Yeah Naruto, they're fine. Urahara and Yoruichi managed to get them out of the Soul Society. They're hiding out with the others on Earth. Of course, this has to stay between us. Wouldn't be good thing for any of us if the wrong people found out."

Both boys nodded in agreement. They weren't gonna tell anyone.

"I wish we could do something for them." Naruto said as he leaned on the railing of the bridge.

"Yeah. A pair of seated officers can't really do much for them. Only the Captain-General can reverse an execution order. And Yamamoto isn't about to reverse it. Well, good night boys." Isshin said before walking off.

'Isshin is right.' Naruto thought. 'The Old Man won't change his mind. If only someone else was the Captain-General.'

It was then that the idea hit him. Naruto stood up straight. The fires of determination burning brightly in his eyes. "I know how we can help them, all of them. We can fight to change things. To prevent such an injustice happening again. To make things better. To one day bring them home."

"How does propose we do that?" Sasuke asked.

Naruto's left hand grabbed one of his katanas. He drew the blade and cut his right palm. He balled his bloody hand into a fist. "There is only one way." Naruto said as he slowly raised his fist. "I'm going to become the next Captain-General. It may take a hundred years. It may take me a thousand. I don't care. As long as there is an ounce of life in my body, I will fight this injustice and any other injustices that arise. I swear that one day, I will become the Captain-General and right this terrible wrong. I swear that I bring them all back home, were they belong."

Sasuke stared at him for moment. "You think that you can become the next Captain-General by yourself? It's an impossible dream Dobe." Sasuke said with a glare.

Naruto was about to shout at him when Sasuke drew his own zanpaku-to and cut his right hand. He raised his bleeding fist alongside Naruto's. "But then again, you always could make the impossible, possible. I'm in. I swear that I help you in your cause. We will bring them home."

Naruto smiled and nodded at his best friend. They were gonna fight this. It didn't matter how long it took, they would right this wrong. And bring them all back home.

And the Turn Back the Pendulum arc is done. Now, you won't being seeing any of the vizards until I get to the main Bleach storyline and I do plan to have several flashbacks to show what they did during the 100 year gap between TBTP and the start of Bleach. But that's only a few chapters away so that doesn't matter all that much. The next couple of chapters will jumping ahead in time to cover a few important things. Then this story will end and book two will start, which will cover the Bleach storyline.

Originally, I was gonna have something a little different from the ending of TBTP for this story. I was gonna have the vizards, Urahara and Tessai locked up and awaiting execution while the vizards struggle with their inner hollows. During which time, Naruto and Sasuke would visit them and secretly help Yoruichi with their escape. And ultimately say good bye to them as they left for Earth. But I felt that it would give their reunion a hundred years later, a greater impact if Naruto and Sasuke hadn't even gotten a chance to see them after their Hollowification.

And as to Isshin being the Captain of Squad 10. The Captain of the Tenth was the only captain that wasn't even hinted at during the TBTP arc. I believe that Isshin was likely that captain, which is probably why the Squad 10 Captain was never mentioned at all, as Tite Kubo seems to wanna keep us in the dark as much as possible about Isshin. And he knows fair amount about Aizen and the vizards as well as having an apparent friendship with Urahara. So Isshin showing up in this chapter supports my theories about him. I actually forgot to including him in the first chapter, like I originally planned to.

As to those who have been saying, 'Make Naruto Lisa's replacement as Lieutenant of Squad 8.' Don't worry, he will be. I believe that Shunsui, like Jushiro, didn't immediately find a replacement for Lisa, I believe because of the guilt he felt for sending out that night with the others. Likely years later, when Nanao grew older and stronger, Shunsui chose her as Lisa's replacement. And that's what's gonna happen here.

One thing I would like to talk about for a moment. I've been getting a fair amount of hits, alerts and faves for this story. Yet only a few reviews. Particularly after the last chapter I posted. Since I posted it, the hits for this story have almost doubled and the number of alerts for this story have doubled as well. It's hard for me to see what needs improvement unless I get feedback. And I'm still looking for possible pairing ideas, so if you can't think of anything to say for a review, just give me some pairings. Right now, there's only one suggestion that I'm kinda favoring, Kenshi/Tatsuki. Other than that, I'm not sure what others I should have. So please, give me your suggestions.

Next Chapter: Return to the Academy-50 Years Later