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Ever since the attack of the Kyuubi, Naruto was shunned as 'Konoha's Demon' when he was born with the Kyuubi sealed in him. His life was miserable beyond grief. Time passed by and he has slowly proven himself as its jailer instead of its incarnate. But despite this, love never truly touched the young jinchuuriki's heart until death came over him.
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A/N: I do not own Naruto, Bleach or any other canonical characters. If I did, I wouldn't be here in FF now would I?
A/N: Yes, Hinata's coming back. Thanks for all the reviews once again. This chapter will focus on Naruto, Kyuubi and Kami. I had writer's block so this chapter was delayed. I had planned on releasing this along with chapter nine, but I had no idea how to write this chapter after completing chapter nine. But thankfully, I managed to remember how this chapter was supposed to fit within the story. So enjoy! The next chapter will be another wild twist in the story….well sort of.
Talking
'thinking/flashback'
Kyuubi Talking/Jutsu
'Kyuubi Thinking'
Chapter 10
Kami's Command
And a new hope rises at the end of the tunnel…
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The genderless beauty gazed upon the two in endearment as Naruto began to rise up into a kneeling position. From his prone state while the Kyuubi wobbily stood up straight though he was shivering in fright.
With a genuine smile on his face, the arcane human then spoke to them,
"It's been quite some time since I last saw you two at Sereitei when you were gazing at the moonlight. You said that you were willing to do anything it takes right?"
The young blonde just naturally nodded. Naruto knew there was someone watching them that night though he couldn't quite pinpoint who it was. When the arcane human saw his acknowledgement, he then said,
"It's quite amazing what people would do for love. But that's what makes them so interesting. Especially when I come around to aid them in the most mysterious and humanly impossible ways."
Kyuubi could no longer contain himself and said,
Kami-sama! You would be willing to help my master in this matter?!
The young blonde was surprised out of his skin by the conversation that went on between the arcane human and Kyuubi. Somehow, his nine tailed friend had known this character and was clearly afraid of him from the nervous breakdown that he showed.
Naruto was very confused at this point. At one moment, he was traveling towards Karakura town at warp speed, the next moment; he ended up here in uncharted territory with a mysterious being no doubt. But as the blonde put two and two together from what he heard the two talking about, he then realized what the arcane human meant through his riddled statement.
The young blonde then reacted to the sudden realization of the situation.
"WHAAAAATTT?!"
The arcane human just laughed as the blonde sat down on the floor he was in with a jaw dropped expression. Obviously, Naruto got the hints rather quickly. The young blonde did not hesitate however to share his sudden enlightenment to the arcane human before him.
"Y-y-y-yo-you-r-you're Kami?!"
Naruto said while still shivering in his seat. Many stories have been said about the great being that rules the universe yet no one, not even the sotaicho had seen Kami. Usually whenever the sotaicho received direct orders from the divine being, it was always a mysterious message that landed upon his desk. Even that in itself was extremely rare and almost coincidental.
Seeing the young blonde's positive reaction to the divine being before him and feeling the appropriate time for an introduction, the arcane being then kneeled down offering his hand to the young blonde as he smiled and said,
"That's me! I am the author and finisher of your fate. Welcome to my realm Naruto Namikaze. You're the first human being to ever have entered my sanctuary."
The arcane human then turned his face towards the nervous kitsune and said,
"And you're the first of your kind as well Kyuubi no Yoko."
The nervous fox then ran behind his master as he whimpered in fear. Naruto was getting more frightened by the minute as the fiery kitsune cowered behind him. If this person could make a monstrous character like Kyuubi cower like a rat, then this person was to be feared and respected lest his wrath fall upon you.
The young blonde nervously grabbed Kami's hand and was pulled up to his two feet. The divine being could see and feel the heavy fear that loomed in their hearts. It was a natural fear. After all, how often do you meet the almighty creator of the universe like this? And even more coincidental, face to face? Rare opportunities like this don't come every once in a lifetime. With this in mind, Kami made his way toward the backing kitsune.
The Kyuubi was horrified that the great and powerful Kami was approaching him. Any being would be scared if they had committed many crimes and were now being approached by the most powerful being in the entire universe to be judged. The frightened fox did know what to do. There was no where to run neither was there any way to be excused from his horrible fate. He could just stand there awaiting his end.
The divine being finally got within arms length of the fox and began to reach out his hand. The fox's heart began to beat even faster as his spine shivered in fright. Naruto had no idea how to deal with this. He knew that the Kyuubi had done some horrible things, but Kami's word and law was absolute.
He could just watch as the divine being surprisingly, held the kitsune's head and then pet the shaking ball of fur as he said,
"It's alright Kyuubi I forgive you."
A concise sentence it was. But it held a lot of love as the Kyuubi felt the tremendous warmth and holiness flow down from Kami's hand and onto the fox's head. A thousand year's worth of sins and shame were pardoned just like that as the Kyuubi fell prone on the floor once more, crying in sorrow and happiness as he felt mortified by the sanctified heart of the divine creator fall upon his own darkened one.
Naruto then sighed in relief. His long time tenant was given forgiveness for all the pain he had caused. But he was still confused as to why he was forgiven. Curiosity soon overcame him as he asked,
"But how come you forgave him so easily? Shouldn't he be sent to hell or some really harsh punishment?"
True enough. The demon lord did not deserve happiness or forgiveness yet it was given to him so easily. The kind hearted Kami with his omniscience then said as he turned to the blonde,
"Even if he had committed so much he needed atonement for, the road to perdition is closed to those who I deem it closed. This is especially true when that person has asked for forgiveness from me in his heart. I am not the harsh ruler that people see me as. Do you see me that way Naruto?"
Even though Kami knew the answer already, he still bothered to ask him personally. Naruto knew that HE knew the answer as well. He was Kami after all, he knows everything! Naruto felt a lot of rage in his lifetime, but he understood now that it wasn't his fault. Neither was it Kami's fault for creating it this way. Naruto then shook his head and replied,
"No Kami, I don't. Everything happens for a reason. The reason we have problems is because our worlds are not perfect just as we aren't perfect. We all make mistakes and we learn from it. No matter how hard your life is, you can always do something about it to change it. We can't blame you for the life we live because we are responsible for our own lifestyle."
The arcane human smiled as he gazed into the flaming azure eyes of the smiling young blonde. It was a solemn moment, but it felt like it could last a lifetime as the serenity renewed the young blonde and the now calmed Kyuubi.
Kami then removed his hand from the fiery kitsune and began strolling towards his throne in the end of the room were a bright light shone upon it. Though still clueless about their sudden appearance into this mysterious realm, Naruto and Kyuubi followed Kami hoping to gain answers.
Many questions were obviously going to fly towards the arcane human as to why Naruto and his tenant were summoned. Kami knew that they needed answers as all three then halted while Kami sat down upon his golden throne and snapped his fingers, materializing two separate ivory chairs that sat in front of him. Their design was not of this earth as Naruto inspected the quality of the material in amazement while his foxy counterpart sat in his seat facing Kami.
The arcane human laughed at the way Naruto was touching and looking at the intricate craftsmanship of the chair. While he would love to see the blonde's antics further, much needed to be said concerning Naruto's special task. He then cleared his throat which snatched the young blonde's attention from the chair. When the blonde quickly sat in his seat, Kami then asked the young blonde the question to start all questions.
"Tell me Naruto, how much do you love Hinata?"
Naruto's heartstrings were tugged again as he heard his true love's name. Though he could no longer deny the existence of his feelings for his dead lover, he still felt grieved that the woman he so dearly loved had fell to such a tragic fate. Though his mind wished not to speak of the matter, his heart had won over it as he replied,
"Very much Kami-sama. Like I said, if I have to beg at your feet right now, or dive the depths of hell, I will to get her back. Not even death will stop me."
The arcane human could see the fire in his eyes. It was a beautiful azure flame that burned instead of his former cerulean ones. In the young blonde's past life, Naruto's eyes showed the depths of sadness that he had gone through and the definite lack of true love because of his sorrowful life. But after those events at the pit, his eyes had changed revealing a bright resolve fueled by love and determination as his passion was intense with so much zeal. Kami inwardly grinned as he began testing the young blonde.
"But you barely know her. In fact, you spent too much time chasing after another person's wife than getting to know this kind-hearted person until you were forced into a position that she could grab your attention. Is she that precious to you despite that?"
Naruto felt another string plucked as Kami began playing a tune with Naruto's heart. His words were accurate and sharp despite them being spoken so softly. However, Naruto wasn't the dense person he used to be until after the events with the Cinder Pheonix. Like the sharp point of a kunai, Naruto responded.
"She is, because she was made for me."
Kyuubi who was listening in on all of this raised an eyebrow at the blonde's statement. Kami was taking great interest upon his blonde creation as the Naruto continued his statement.
"Your second question was the exact answer in itself. By implying that I was dense to have not noticed her instead of Sakura which you implied as another person's wife, meant that you specifically made Hinata-chan for me. This argument that you presented was even more enforced by the fact that I barely even know her. Anything else, Kami-sama?"
Kami's smile grew even wider while Kyuubi looked at the blonde in astonishment. Since when has Naruto, Konoha's number one knuckleheaded ninja been so smart? It pondered on the Kyuubi's mind until like a lightbulb, it flashed in his mind when the Kyuubi said,
You've spent a lot of time with Shunsui haven't you?
The young blonde could just nod in acknowledgement as he stayed as sharp and focused as ever. Kami saw how well the young blonde had matured in just three short years. Feeling that the blonde was ready to be pressed even further, he continued his questions.
"If you had the chance to take her back from the last episode of her life, would you do so willingly?"
Naruto's voice had died down as did Kyuubi. They began to realize where this conversation was going. Kami could not deny the young blonde's cries for any longer. He had known from the start that all of these things that the three had gone through would happen. But he permitted it for a plan that only he knew. As he felt the young blonde's gaze upon him widen in dismay, he then gave the finishing blow as he struck his point at the young blonde.
"What if I told you to go back to your past life so you could see her again?"
Naruto and Kyuubi had become speechless. They never expected this to happen, or rather, they could not believe that this was happening. Kyuubi had known all along about the hints that Kami was placing at their feet. But he knew there had to be some catch as with every time altering event.
'Every event that alters time has a huge price to pay. Whether it is one person or two, with body or just soul, a price is paid for the effect to take place.'
The wise fox thought to himself as he assessed the situation. He then voiced out to Naruto to snap him out of his senses so that he could listen to reality.
Naruto…
The rarely said word of Kyuubi did its trick as Naruto snapped out of his stargazing mode as he looked at Kyuubi in wonder at what the fox wanted this time. Kyuubi then made his inference clear to his master.
Time traveling is no joke. It is a serious matter as it tampers with the very fabric of existence. For every alteration to the hands of time, its springs and clockwork is altered too. We don't know what could happen if we tried to go back, but despite the extremely high risks involved, it may be the only way to see your mate once again and change your past life.
Every fabric, muscle, bone, in fact, his entire being wished to go back when he heard all this. It was a fantasy turned real that he could go back and love the girl who loved him. His thoughts were swirling in his head as his emotions began to rise in elation. Forget the risk, he was much to happy to think about risks than forever knowing that seeing her again was a lost cause as he began to ponder on this in his head.
'I can see Hinata-chan again and do things the right way! Kami-sama is providing me a second chance at life for me to live to the fullest with her by my side! But then…'
The blonde then sighed as he realized something important.
"But Kami-sama, her soul was merged with the soul of Suzaku. Even if we went back in time, she would not be there at all because she wouldn't exist. Not to mention the radical risks involved in—"
Before the young blonde could continue, the divine being said,
"All taken cared of."
The young blonde and Kyuubi looked a mixture of surprised and confused. Their confusion was obviously about something that they missed out concerning the seals of the elemental gods of the earth. Kami then began the explanation as he questioned them about their knowledge of the seal of Suzaku.
"You know about the keys needed to open the seals I placed upon them."
They both nodded understanding wherein the problem lay. Kami then continued his explanation as he leaned over and rested his hands under his nose as his elbows rested on his legs implying his thinking pose.
"When the key is activated, the specific seal is broken allowing them a universal timeline like the timeline of Soul Society, back on earth. This means that they are free to roam around as the ethereal beings they are. But I knew that if ever there was a necessary key, there would also be overspills or excess sacrifices that could occur. So I developed a failsafe in the seal just for such a case."
Kyuubi, as sharp as ever, knew about this from the start because he was there to witness it. Though it wasn't a close witnessing of the performed seal, he was close enough to actually see Kami perform it. Kyuubi felt that he had ground here and said,
The failsafe was to send the excess sacrifice towards the rift in time as a direct result of a miscalculation to prevent overload of the seal and give the elemental god a tainted version of the key or too much power when only one was needed am I right Kami-sama?
Kami just stared into the slit crimson eyes of the nine tailed fox as the kitsune's confidence began to gain ground once more in the conversation. Kami then replied to the assertive fox with all his wisdom.
"No."
This killed the fox's confidence as his mind ran in confusion once again. Naruto felt it as well. It was a simple reply that carried much doubt concerning what they already knew of the seal and those sealed in it. Kami knew better than allowing the god's to be tainted once more and gain too much power as a result of miscalculation. Kami then helped the two in confusion before him as he enlightened them.
"The true purpose of the seal was for them to learn their lesson and nothing more. I will not allow excess sacrifices beyond what was already needed. Life is precious and cannot be replaced."
Naruto who sat back through this discussion felt he needed to voice out in this situation. He too thought that it was the reason for the seal in the first place from what he gathered at the archives and the library. He then asked in confusion.
"So what was the failsafe for?"
The calm and cool Kami then smiled when he heard his cue. He knew that this would really rile up the young blonde's blood when Naruto hears what is about to come out of his lips. Kami then took a deep breath and exhaled his next words.
"The failsafe was a trap for the elemental god. True it was for excess sacrifices in the sense that it would prevent them from merging with the elemental god, but the moment the elemental god gains the key he doesn't need any more and the excess sacrifice negates the elemental god's right to the soul of the key. As a result, he loses his immortality and becomes bound to the bodies of the sacrifices as a penalty for the mistake. Though he will be unaffected by the timeline of your world he still ages and can die. And just like any soul that dies, the souls that were supposed to be sacrificed end up in Soul Society."
It didn't take long for both the master and tenant to react to the new information fresh from Kami's mind as they simultaneously shouted,
"WHAAAATT?!"
A jaw dropped expression and saucer for eyes comically fit their expressions as they looked at Kami in utter disbelief. Naruto was the first to speak again while still in his confused state.
"YOU'RE SAYING THAT SHE WAS REBORN IN SOUL SOCIETY ALL THIS TIME AND I MISSED HER?!!!!"
Kami could just laugh as he saw Naruto berating his lifelong tenant for not noticing this either. Kyuubi did the same making it more comical to watch as the two were at each other's throats with profanities as their weapons.
In order to prevent the two from starting an all out war in his dimension Kami cleared his throat. This snatched their attention once more.
F-forgive me Kami-sama! I should not have acted so rashly!
The once again terrified kitsune said as he bowed down in respect to the divine creator. However, when he looked at Naruto, he panicked at the insolence of the young blonde.
Oi! Gaki! Pay your respects to Kami-sama!
The firey kitsune said as he glared at his still dumbfounded master who had not done the same. When Naruto heard his tenant scream at him in dismay, he quickly bowed down as well and replied with fright in his voice.
"Go-go-gomenasai Kami-sama! I should have been more respectful in your presence!"
The still smiling Kami calmly replied,
"It's alright Naruto. We can't have a working relationship together if you didn't act like yourself. And don't worry too much about not seeing Hinata. Remember, just because you were sent together to Soul Society, doesn't mean you will see each other in the same timeline. That's why I kept a hold on her soul from being reborn right away while you were transported there."
Naruto sighed in relief when he heard the kind hearted Kami had Hinata's soul with him in his grasp. As he realized something from Kami's words, he then thought to himself,
'How ironic. I was both her executioner and savior at the same time. I killed her by accident and released a sealed god and then saved her when I killed myself and at the same time took away that sealed god's immortality. Karma is way too ironic that it's sometimes funny and tragic at the same time.'
"Well who do you think invented Karma?"
The amused Kami said as he spoke to the thinking blonde. Naruto nearly jumped out of his seat when he realized that this was Kami before him. Naturally, the arcane being before him would be able to read his mind. When he safely attached this to his mind, he then asked of Kami.
"Speaking of the entire elemental gods affair, what really happened that made you step down and seal them with such a punishment? And what about the Shiki Fujin that still binds me and Kyuubi together? Shouldn't we be separated the moment we died?"
Naruto was right though. Many questions were still left unanswered. The young blonde wanted so many things to be answered, but for now, it would be best to ask of the more important ones in hand. Though he did not show it, Kyuubi as well was silently agreeing with his master. Kami saw the fire in their eyes as it never flickered even once. Kami then returned to his upright position on his golden throne as he answered their questions.
"The elemental gods wanted nothing more than stability and peace for the entire planet. Despite their several personality differences, they wanted harmony more than anything else. At that time when they were still in control, those within their governance had the natural ability to create and manipulate the element they were born under. It was a beautiful harmony of spirit and body as both the spiritual plane was very close to the physical one. It was peaceful for the most part until the god of lightning developed pride in himself. He was outwardly rebelling against me thinking that he could enter my realm and take over just like Aizen tried to desperately accomplish. Though the god of lightning was at fault, the other gods were at fault as well when they allowed themselves to take in the lies of the god of lightning despite my warnings, and become the very thing I did not want them to become, evil beasts. That's why I sealed them so they can regain their senses once again. But when they were sealed, much of the balance of the world was lost and I was forced to separate Soul Society as far away from the physical realm without cutting their connection off. This weakened the perfect balance your world once had making even the very people under it weaker than they once were. But it prevented a collapse of your world."
Naruto and Kyuubi drank the information in with all their might as they absorbed every ounce of knowledge in their system. Everything made sense now. The reason for nature manipulation being so difficult and why people had more chakra and less reiatsu from his world as well as the absence of hollows in that world was because of those very events. After a full minute of thinking, both nodded to urge Kami to continue, which he happily complied.
"To answer your second question, you have to understand that it was for both your benefits. I personally made sure your seals did not break when both of you died so that you could learn to live together in a symbiotic relationship. Kyuubi was once a person like you Naruto. He just needed to remember how it felt to be a human and remember how it feels to see himself again through you."
Naruto looked at Kyuubi in wide eyed amazement at what the arcane human had just said about the nine tailed fox beside him.
Naruto for the most part, saw the sympathy in the pleading eyes of his tenant. True enough, they were in a way alike these past three years in Soul Society. Those twelve years on earth were just the breaking point for his beast form while the last three in Sereitei were for his once again developing human side.
After what the Kyuubi had gone through, Naruto could finally understand why the damn fox was such a bastard all those years as the young blonde's gaze softened upon Kyuubi before returning to the same flaming azure eyes of Kami.
A blanket of serenity wrapped Naruto and his servant as it renewed their souls once more. They needed every ounce of serenity after what they had gone through and everything they heard. When the jinchuuriki and his servant had calm down, Kami proceeded to reopen the choice to Naruto.
"So Naruto, are you going to go back?"
Naruto still could not believe his ears. It was the chance of a lifetime. He was given the choice to go back and re-live his life the way he should have with all the necessary knowledge of the future. He wanted so much to go back and change everything and be with Hinata unlike back in his past life were he mostly ignored her and messed up completely.
This was the one question that all this information ran around. Kyuubi knew that his master wanted very much to return to his former self and change the course of his life.
Kami saw the shocked expression on his young blonde creation when Naruto heard his restated question. With the genuine smile on Kami's face irresistibly stealing away the heart of the nine tailed fox and tugging at the heart of Naruto, it would only take a few minutes before Naruto would give his reply as Kyuubi said to the young blonde,
Gaki, it's the opportunity of a lifetime. You need to take this chance. If you want to ever see your mate again, and save Konoha from its fate. You'll be killing several birds with one stone!
Naruto drank in once again the information as he crossed his arms and closed his eyes to think. Kami, being Kami, could hear every thought that the young blonde crafted in his mind and see every image that came across Naruto's mindscape as the young blonde weighed the pros and cons of the situation. Kami then thought to himself.
'Naruto, you've really matured so quickly. Its amazing how one event could cause such a drastic change in you. Most people would have said yes without thinking. Then again, from what I hear in your head, you would too. But the fact that you're also thinking about your present situation shows that your concern isn't only for Konoha and your woman. It won't be long before you make your decision in exactly, Four…Three…Two…One…'
"I've made my decision!"
Exclaimed the young blonde as he opened his flaming azure eyes once more to gaze upon Kami who in return nodded urging the blonde to continue. Naruto's heart was fluttering around despite his commitment. His mind this time had won over. It was do or die, not taking back your decisions as the young blonde opened his lips and said,
"I'm not going back."
How ironic. The chance of a lifetime yet he chose not to go back. Kyuubi leaped of his seat and stood right in front of the blonde. A mix of anger and confusion ran through the boiling blood of the fiery kitsune as Kyuubi barked at Naruto.
WHY GAKI? YOU'RE THROWING AWAY THIS CHANCE FOR WHAT? GIVE ME A GOOD REASON TO THROW AWAY KAMI-SAMA'S GIFT TO YOU!
Naruto looked the confused kitsune in his crimson eyes. His words were sharp and loud. Though undeterred by the sudden outburst of emotion, Naurto's stare became softer though he did not lead his eyes astray. After a few seconds of gazing with determination in his eyes, he then eyed Kami and said,
"There's nothing I can really do about the past. The past is the past. Our future is more important. If I go to the past to try to change things, I won't be very different from Sasuke who is living in it. Hinata may have died, but I want to honor her death by continuing in this life. By going back, means that I had regrets in my life and couldn't accept the life I lived and all the things I learned from it. All those experiences would mean nothing if I went back. As much as I would want to see Hinata again in that life, it would be better if she and I were together in this life. I'm really sorry Kami-sama, but I have to decline your offer. Thank you anyway for your concern."
Kyuubi saw the determination in the young blonde's eyes. He made a good point. True it would be great to go back, but he neverliked taking shortcuts. In fact, he never believed in shortcuts from what he went through. He believed so strongly in making a difference the way he could, by working hard and earning your way through. That was HIS way of the ninja. The fiery kitsune bowed his head in acknowledgement as he said,
Baka. But there's nothing I can do. As your sword and friend, I will follow your will…Even if you have to go through things alone.
Naruto nodded at the Kyuubi statement. While Kami bowed his head and smiled in understanding. As Naruto stood from his seat and was about to turn around, Kami then asked him,
"But why do you have to do things alone when you have friends to help you? Are you afraid to fail them if you go back?"
Naruto froze where he stood. Kami being the superior being, knew what was tugging the young blonde's heart. Before Naruto could react, Kami then began piercing his heart with more words of wisdom.
"Just because you're returning to the past doesn't mean you're living in it. Actually, by changing your past, you can change your future because you're thinking about the future and not the past so you're still honoring her last words not to regret. Furthermore, those experiences would still have meaning because the fact that you learned from them and decided not to make the same mistakes again means that you grew from it. I know how you feel Naruto. I can see and feel it in your heart. You're scared and unsure if you can change things without fail, but don't lose heart. No man is an island. Everyone needs to watch each other's back, that's what a team is. You're not alone in this. Your past, present and future have proven that time and again."
Naruto then turned around to face Kami as the divine being stepped down from his seat and cupped the cheeks of Naruto as he looked into the teary eyed face of Naruto before taking him in a warm embrace as he continued to comfort the crying blonde in his arms with his sweet words of wisdom.
"It's alright. You don't have to be afraid. If Kyuubi is your sword, then I will be your shield. I never leave my nakama in something they can't handle. You're stronger, braver and purer than what anyone has said negatively about you. I love you for who you are just like the way Hinata does. So don't be afraid anymore. Don't let that fire die. Let it burn brighter than the stars and bluer than the sky. You don't always have to earn everything. Sometimes, you just need to accept the gifts that lay down at your feet. They are gifts that were given to you from the abundance of the heart of the giver."
Kami then released his embrace as he looked the young blonde in his flaming azure eyes and wiped his tears away. Naruto felt the incredible warmth of the divine being as Kami's fire began to engulf Naruto inside out. His flame consumed the young blonde's darkness and fears as it burned away leaving only a light of hope in Naruto's heart. Kami then continued his sweet words to the young blonde.
"Always remember why you do what you do and the reason it is important to you. Because if you are worth it to them then…"
The arcane human stopped as he waited for Naruto to comply. Naruto looked at Kyuubi who nodded in agreement with Kami's urge. The young blonde who had now found hope once more and renewed strength and vigor, said,
"Then they are worth it to you. Thank you Kami-sama. I really needed that"
The arcane human just smiled as he said,
"No problem. Besides, I never said it was an offer, it was a command. So whether you liked it or not, you would still have to go."
Naruto just scratched his head and grinned as he sweat dropped in realization that Kami did in fact order him to. There was no escape from this one. Kami then dropped his pleasantries as he eyed the blonde and Kyuubi seriously. They now understood that Kami is serious about this mission as they felt a sudden change in the atmosphere as the air of serenity became an air of seriousness and coldness.
Kyuubi listened in intent as Naruto swallowed hard not knowing what to expect. When the two finally got in the mood to listen, Kami then began to command like a seasoned general as he gave them the specific orders necessary for the mission.
"I will open a rift in time and send you back to your past life. Though you will be in the body of a six year old, your soul would still be older. You will still have all your memories and experiences intact as well as any powers you have gained from your shinigami training. Am I making myself clear so far?"
Kami said as his voice became more serious with every word he uttered. As the two felt the tension become thicker, Naruto then asked Kami as questions concerning the divine appointment given to him began to flutter in his mind.
"Why as a six year old? Will the body of my soul age with my physical body? And will I be able to use my techniques perfectly in my physical body?"
Kami then shook his head as he continued.
"No, not completely. Remember, you learned those in your soul form. So it will take some time for your body to get accustomed to the techniques especially your shinigami powers. Your mind will know it but your body won't. That's why I'm sending you back to an age when you have the time to get re-accustomed to your powers before you go through with the genin exams. And to answer the age gap problem, your soul's body won't age until your physical one reaches its age so that they can age together in harmony."
Naruto and Kyuubi nodded in acknowledgement as they understood the logic of their divine general as he continued his orders.
"Though I will be sending you back, take note that I will also be sending the other's back who lived at that time. Hinata isn't the only one who will be sent back. But this won't affect the timeline of Soul Society. So technically, you will still be a taicho and considered missing until they find you. Try not to get them involved until at least after the chunnin exams. But if they do ask why you have a body again, tell them who's bossing you around and they'll get the picture. Just don't let it get over your head. Is there anything else before we begin t send you towards your new destination?"
Naruto got the picture but still had much to ask. Kami nodded at the young blonde urging him to ask away. Kyuubi did the same knowing that they won't have another chance like this again.
"Kami-sama, I've been having trouble fusing shinobi and shinigami techniques together. Can you tell me the problem? Another thing as well, I might not be able to remember everything I learned from the past three years in Sereitei. Is there a way I can go back and get my notebook before I go? All my important information is there."
Kami then smiled again as he returned back into the happy-go-lucky persona he first showed as he grabbed a black notebook from his loose, right sleeve and said,
"Taken cared of. As for the chakra-reiatsu fusion techniques, remember the canal that Kyuubi used connect the pools of water?"
Naruto nodded as Kami-sama continued.
"Try finding the center. No matter what form it changes into, it is still energy. All you have to do is keep it in the center where it is energy in its purest state and neither chakra or reiatsu. As you gain control of that balanced energy, it slowly widens the canal allowing you another pool of energy reserves to draw from until it gets big enough that it engulfs your pools of chakra and reiatsu. Anything else you might need?"
Naruto thought hard for a minute before he shook his head. There was no turning back at this point onward. Kami then gave the blonde his book and began drawing with his finger, a large circle in the ground behind the ivory chairs as he drew what seems to be a magic circle and began writing on it. As Naruto and Kyuubi looked in intent at the arcane seal, Naruto realized that the very seal he was writing had the same lettering as the seal in his notebook. His widened eyes showed his shock and astonishment at the possibilities he had with his sealing technique. Kami, who was reading the young blonde's thoughts, then said as he wrote in the ground,
"The ancient tongue is a sealing technique that I invented. Your mentor Jiraya found out about it from an ancient cave he went in once. It's very powerful and easy to use. Though it's as simple as writing words, it contains much power. Words are not to be toyed with or taken for granted Naruto. Unfortunately, you won't remember how to do this specific seal because I won't permit it."
The young blonde then nodded as he put his arms behind his head and replied,
"Makes sense. The last thing we need is to put your special place in jeopardy."
When Kami had finished, Naruto stood in the center of the magic circle with Kyuubi close by. Kami then began to write seals upon Naruto and Kyuubi. Naruto was curious as to what kind of seals that Kami needed to write on him. Kami understood his curiosity and explained to the questioning blonde.
"These set of seals will prevent your physical bodies from overloading with chakra and reiatsu when you merge with your past life. The seal acts like your chakra transfer seal with Kyuubi except on a larger scale. It will take time before your body gets accustomed to the excess energy, but when it finally adapts, it will allow you to use your 'future' techniques much easier. This would be best if it was at an age before puberty. Give or take…six years of age would be adequate don't you think?"
The grinning Kami said at the young blonde who grinned back in acknowledgement. Kami prepared for everything. There were still risks involved, but since it was Kami nothing could go wrong. Both Naruto and Kyuubi felt safer knowing that Kami was performing this seal and no one else. As the fiery kitsune reshaped into his zanpakuto mode behind Naruto, the seals on his body and on the floor started to glow. Kami then stepped out of the circle and faced the determined blonde. The divine being then closed his eyes as he raised his arms at the blonde and began speaking an incantation in an unknown language.
"Admittere abi silentium innovo abi ensiferahomoabensisabcidereab manus abtempus(Let the silence renew the swordsman and his sword as they cut the hands of time.)
Aequitas animisertum vindicta abi ensiferahomo insculpoabi meatusficereabiputiculi." (Justice will reclaim vengeance as the swordsman carves his way through the catacombs.)
With the last words of his incantation, Kami then pressed his two hands together as he opened his eyes revealing their now cyan color. Naruto felt the tremendous power as he struggled to stand up straight. The intense amount of energy was overwhelming. It was as if he was going to be engulfed and consumed in the power that Kami was outputting from the seal. Kami however did not look winded or that he was concentrating hard. It seemed so easy for the divine being to perform as the arcane human smiled and said,
"This will be the last time we see each other like this. Good luck on your mission Naruto. I'll be here watching over you like always."
Naruto then grinned as he said,
"Don't worry, I won't fail you Kami-sama, now…Ikimasho!"
Kami then slowly removed his hands from one another. As his hands moved away, a bright light engulfed Naruto as the brilliance blinded the young blonde. And as swiftly as the light had engulfed him, so was its disappearance as the young blonde disappeared from sight.
"Naruto, this is my command to you. Stop the awakening of the elemental gods, and re-live your life. I want you to live the way you should have despite what the people have done to you and are going to you once again. You have lived this life once, you can live it again. I hope that you and Hinata live happy together."
Kami said as he returned to his seat and opened a small compartment in the left armrest and placed his finger in the seal which was shaped in the symbol of the Konoha leaf, in the middle of the compartment causing it to glow before it vanished.
Naruto at this point could only see darkness after that brilliant flash of light before falling into slumber as he closed his eyes. It was a grand moment as a new adventure would begin. He was on the mission of a lifetime as his mission was his lifetime itself. He would get to see the love of his life once more and share his love to her the way she shared it to him before she died. His goal was set as his resolve reinforced itself for the orders from the divine being…from the very lips of the arcane human, he would perform, Kami's command.
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It's pretty short, but it should be so I can get down to writing his return to Konoha and the romance between Naruto and Hinata. So everything is explained for the latest part of the plot. I really had a hard time doing the latin part so forgive me if it's wrong. I read the latest reviews and I'm surprised that someone was able to guess what was going to happen in this chapter. Hopefully, the story won't be very predictable in the future. But thank you for all the reviews. Right now I have to refresh my memory of the first few episodes of Naruto so that I can make sure that I'm writing the story correctly. Till next time, Ja ne!