A/N

Hello, everyone!

Last chapter, I accidentally posted the wrong updated version, but a kind reviewer pointed it out and helped me fix it. Big thanks to them!

I'm so glad everyone seems to be enjoying the story so far, that's amazing!

This chapter is a little slower, but don't worry, we'll pick up the pace in due time.

I hope you enjoy reading!

Now, let's get into it!

Chapter 2 – Bonds Act 1

A few days had passed since Naruto had come to Zaun, now known as Ruto by his newfound companions. Though his head still throbbed with memories that felt like dreams, he was slowly adjusting to life in the Undercity, learning from Vi, Powder, Claggor, and Mylo. They were a motley crew, bound by loyalty and survival, and Naruto was grateful for their companionship, especially Powder, who had shown him kindness since the very first day.

Today, the group was gathered around a makeshift target practice range that Powder had been working on. She'd cobbled it together from scraps she'd collected, an inventive piece of machinery that could hurl tin cans and pieces of broken glass at various speeds. But there was a problem the range had stopped working, and Mylo was growing impatient.

"Great job, Powder," Mylo muttered, rolling his eyes. "Can't even get this thing working. Maybe if you weren't so busy collecting scraps, you'd actually build something useful."

Powder's face fell, and she fidgeted with the buttons and levers, her fingers shaking. Naruto watched her, feeling a surge of anger at Mylo's words. But before he could say anything, Powder took a deep breath, her expression hardening.

"Just watch, Mylo," she said quietly, flipping a switch. The range jolted to life, gears spinning, and with a practiced flick of her wrist, Powder pulled out a slingshot she had tucked into her belt. She lined up her aim, her gaze narrowing in intense concentration.

In a rapid sequence of movements, she fired at the targets. Every shot hit its mark with perfect accuracy, each one taking down the intended target as if she had practiced this for years. The group watched, stunned into silence.

"Well… maybe it's not so useless after all," Mylo muttered, looking away.

Naruto was in awe. Powder's aim was exceptional, and her calm focus impressed him. He felt a surge of admiration as he watched her, wishing he could match her precision. Powder gave him a shy smile when she noticed his gaze, her cheeks flushing with pride.

Suddenly, the air shifted as the sound of pounding footsteps echoed down the alleyways outside. The door burst open, and a pair of enforcers stormed into the arcade, their faces hard and alert. Without hesitation, Vi grabbed Powder's arm, pulling her toward the exit.

"Time to go!" she whispered urgently, her eyes darting toward Naruto and the others.

They darted through the crowded arcade, dodging customers and machines, as the enforcers' voices grew louder behind them. Just as they reached the back alley, a familiar figure appeared, motioning for them to follow a boy with a mischievous grin and a shock of white hair. It was Ekko, their resourceful friend, always quick to offer a hand.

"This way!" Ekko called, leading them through a series of winding paths that eventually brought them to safety. By the time they stopped to catch their breath, the enforcers had lost their trail.

"Close one," Ekko said, grinning. "You guys need to be more careful."

Vi rolled her eyes. "Thanks, Ekko. We'll keep that in mind next time."

Later, they made their way to the Last Drop, the bar where Zaun's residents gathered under the watchful eye of Vander, their self appointed protector. The bar was packed tonight, filled with Zaunites who were fed up with the enforcers' interference and the divide between Piltover and Zaun. The crowd was restless, voices rising in frustration as people argued about the state of their city.

The group gathered in a corner, watching as residents spoke up. Sevika, a tall and intimidating woman with a fierce gaze, was among the loudest, demanding action.

"We're not just going to sit here and let them walk all over us!" she shouted, her voice carrying through the room. "It's time we fought back!"

The crowd murmured in agreement, anger simmering beneath the surface. But before the tension could escalate further, Vander stepped forward, his presence commanding silence. He raised his hands, calming the crowd with a steady gaze.

"Fighting back isn't the answer," Vander said, his voice firm. "Violence will only bring more of them down here. If we want to survive, we have to stand together. Show them we're strong without picking a fight."

The group exchanged confused glances, unsure of why Vander was so committed to peace. As they slipped down to the basement, Ekko, who had stayed to listen, leaned in and whispered to them, "Vander has a deal with the enforcers. He thinks keeping the peace is the only way to protect us."

"Some peace," Mylo scoffed, but Vi shushed him, shooting Ekko a look of gratitude for the information.

Just when it seemed like it was all calming down, it was shattered when the door swung open, and three enforcers strode inside, their presence causing a ripple of unease among the patrons.

Leading them was Marcus, his stern expression and rigid posture exuding authority. The sight of the enforcers brought an uncomfortable silence over the bar, and Vander's gaze shifted immediately to Marcus, his face unreadable as he set down a glass.

Marcus approached the bar, his gaze locking onto Vander with a mixture of frustration and cold resolve. "Evening, Vander."

"Evening, Marcus," Vander replied, his tone calm but wary. "What brings you down here tonight?"

Marcus didn't waste time on pleasantries. "I'll get right to the point. There was an incident topside. An apartment was wrecked, and we know it was a group from down here. Kids, to be exact."

Vander's expression remained impassive, though his mind was already racing. He had suspected that Vi and the others had caused trouble topside, but now, hearing it confirmed by Marcus, he knew the risk was greater than he'd feared.

"Kids causing trouble topside?" Vander said, feigning ignorance. "Zaun's a big place, Marcus. Could be anyone."

Marcus's eyes narrowed. "Don't play coy with me, Vander. I know it was your kids. I want you to hand them over. Save us both the trouble."

A flash of anger crossed Vander's face, but he kept his voice steady. "They're just kids, Marcus. You think you can come down here and demand I give them up? They're my responsibility."

Marcus's expression hardened, his tone dropping to an icy warning. "Those kids are stirring up trouble topside, and you know as well as I do that Piltover won't stand for it. If you don't get them under control, the enforcers will handle it their way. This is your chance to protect them, Vander. Turn them over now, and maybe things don't get worse."

Vander's fists clenched under the bar, but he forced himself to stay calm. "They're not hurting anyone. They just want a life with dignity, something Zaun's not exactly famous for giving."

Marcus leaned in, his gaze fierce. "This isn't about dignity. It's about them knowing their place."

A silence settled between them, filled with tension and unspoken words. Vander could feel the weight of the threat hanging over them, but he wouldn't back down. Just when he thought Marcus might leave, the enforcer reached into his pocket and pulled out a photograph, placing it on the counter.

"There's something else," Marcus continued, his tone dark. "We're also looking for someone. Blond hair, blue eyes. A boy. You seen him around lately?"

Vander's eyes flickered to the photograph a picture of Naruto, his blue eyes wide and filled with the innocence of a kid who didn't yet know the world's cruelty. Though Vander's face remained neutral, his mind raced. He knew that admitting Naruto's presence would put everyone at risk.

"No," Vander replied smoothly, his gaze steady as he looked Marcus in the eye. "If a boy like that showed up here, I'd be the first to know. Haven't seen anyone like him."

Marcus studied him for a long moment, clearly searching for any hint of a lie. He seemed dissatisfied, his mouth tightening into a hard line. He gestured to one of the other enforcers. "Search the place."

The officer nodded, moving toward the back with measured steps. Vander's eyes followed him, but he kept his expression calm, his mind already calculating. As he reached for a bottle to pour Marcus a drink, he subtly pressed a hidden red button under the counter. The button triggered an alert to a banging monkey toy in the lower room, a discreet signal for the kids to stay hidden.

In the hidden room below, the banging monkey toy sprang to life, its frantic clanging echoing through the dimly lit space. Vi, Powder, Mylo, Claggor, all froze, recognising the warning instantly.

"Enforcers," Vi whispered, her face going tense as she began gathering their belongings. "Hide and stay quiet. Vander's stalling them."

Following everyone else Naruto quickly crouched in the narrow rafters, hidden in the darkened space above. They held their breath as an enforcer entered the room below, his flashlight slicing through the shadows as he scanned the area. Every muscle in Naruto's body tensed as he gripped the rafter, barely moving a muscle, knowing that any noise could give them away.

Powder, beside him, was struggling to maintain her balance, her grip slipping with each passing second. Naruto could see the fear in her eyes, her knuckles white as she clutched the beam. Just as her hand slipped, Naruto reached out, steadying her with a gentle grip. He gave her a small, reassuring smile, silently willing her to stay calm. She returned the smile, her breathing shallow as she fought to stay steady.

After what felt like an eternity, the enforcer turned, evidently finding nothing of interest. His footsteps echoed as he made his way back upstairs, the door closing heavily behind him. As the tension in the room finally broke, Powder let out a shaky breath, her fingers trembling as she released the rafter and sank to the floor. Naruto knelt beside her, his voice soft and comforting.

"You did great, Powder. You're brave," he murmured, hoping to calm her nerves.

Powder looked at him, managing a small, shaky smile. But Naruto could see that the fear was still there, lingering in her expression. She had come so close to falling, to being discovered, and the weight of it was clearly overwhelming.

"That was too close," she whispered, her voice filled with relief and fear.

Naruto stayed beside her, his presence grounding her, giving her something to lean on as she tried to regain her composure. Around them, the others emerged from their hiding spots, each of them exchanging looks of relief and exhaustion.

As the enforcers returned to the main floor of the Last Drop, Marcus's face twisted in frustration. His officers reported that they had found nothing, and it was clear that Marcus's patience had worn thin.

"This is your last chance, Vander," Marcus said, his voice low and filled with venom. "If you don't control those kids, they're going to bring hell down on all of you."

Vander met his gaze calmly, his face unreadable. "You're in the wrong place if you're looking to make threats, Marcus. I told you, we're just trying to get by here."

Marcus's jaw tightened, and with a sudden motion, he smashed his drink against the bar with his baton, the glass shattering and scattering shards across the counter. The entire room fell silent as he leveled a final, dark look at Vander.

"This isn't over," Marcus spat. "Keep them in line, or you'll wish you had."

Without another word, he turned, motioning for his officers to follow him as they stormed out of the Last Drop. The door swung shut behind them, and the bar remained silent, everyone feeling the weight of the threat lingering in the air.

Once Marcus was gone, Vander made his way down to the basement, his face lined with tension and exhaustion. The kids, huddled together, turned as he entered, each of them wearing expressions of fear and uncertainty. Vi's eyes flashed with anger, her fists clenched as she stepped forward.

"They're not going to stop, Vander," she said, her voice fierce. "They're going to keep coming, keep pushing us down. We have to fight back."

Vander's expression softened, but his tone was firm. "No, Vi. I mean it we can't afford any more trouble. You think fighting back is the answer? All it's going to do is bring more of them down here, and they won't stop until they get what they want."

Vi's jaw clenched, her frustration palpable. "But they don't care about us, Vander! They look at us like we're nothing. We need to show them we're not afraid."

Vander shook his head, his gaze filled with both concern and authority. "You don't get it, Vi. This isn't just about you, or me. It's about all of us everyone here, everyone you care about. Powder, Mylo, Claggor. They all look up to you. They'll follow your lead, and that means you're responsible for what happens to them, too."

His words struck a chord, and Vi's expression wavered, her anger giving way to an uncomfortable realization. She looked down, her hands unclenching as she absorbed his words.

"We need to lay low," Vander continued, his tone leaving no room for argument. "No more trouble, no more heists. You keep yourselves out of the enforcers' sight, and you keep everyone safe. That's what matters."

In the silence that followed, Naruto glanced around at his friends, feeling the weight of their concern and fear pressing down on him. He clenched his fists, guilt gnawing at him as he felt like it was all his fault.

He felt his heart sink as he looked down, his voice barely above a whisper. "This is all my fault, isn't it?" He held his head in his hands, wincing as a dull pain throbbed at the back of his skull, memories and fragments of his past flickering just out of reach.

Before anyone could respond, Vander stepped forward, placing a firm but gentle hand on Naruto's shoulder. "No, Ruto," he said firmly, his voice filled with conviction. "This has nothing to do with you. You're one of us now, and we protect our own."

Vander's gaze shifted to Vi, his eyes holding a silent message as he spoke. "We all take care of each other here. That means thinking about the bigger picture, understanding that our choices don't just affect us. They affect everyone we care about."

Vi looked at Naruto, her expression softening as she realized the guilt he was carrying. "Vander's right, Ruto," she said quietly. "This isn't on you, we're all in this together."

Naruto lifted his head, his eyes meeting Vi's. Though he still felt the weight of his past haunting him, the warmth in her gaze gave him a sense of belonging, a reminder that he was part of this family now.

"Thanks," he murmured, his voice filled with gratitude. He looked around at each of them, feeling the strength of their shared bond, their unspoken promise to stand together, no matter what.

Vander straightened, his expression a mix of resolve and determination. "From here on out, we keep our heads down, stay out of trouble, and protect each other. That's the only way we get through this."

The group nodded, each of them understanding the gravity of Vander's words. They might have been a ragtag bunch of misfits, but they were a family, bound by loyalty and the promise of protection.

And as they stood together in the dim light of the basement, Naruto felt a spark of resolve ignite within him. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he knew he would stand by these people, protect them as fiercely as they had protected him.

Later, as the group regrouped, Powder became quiet, slipping away to her corner of the basement where she often tinkered with gadgets. Naruto noticed her absence and approached, watching as she assembled something small and metallic, her fingers moving with practiced precision.

"What are you working on?" he asked, leaning in curiously.

Powder hesitated, then held up a small device with a proud but nervous expression. "I'm… making something. I thought, maybe… if we had more bombs, we could protect ourselves better."

Naruto's eyes widened as he studied the gadget in her hands. It was a tiny bomb, one that she had crafted herself, and despite its small size, he could sense the potential power it held. "That's amazing," he said sincerely. "You really have a talent for this, Powder. I think it's… kind of cool."

Powder blushed, glancing away with a shy smile. "You… you really think so?"

"Yeah," Naruto said, nodding. "You're creative, and you think of things no one else does. It's awesome."

Her blush deepened, but she looked pleased. She held up another bomb, this one decorated with a small, fox like symbol painted on its side.

"This one's special," she said, giggling. "I named it Kitsune. It reminds me of you, you know, like a fox."

Naruto tilted his head in surprise, smiling at the nickname. "A fox, huh? I like it."

Powder giggled, her shyness melting away. She continued to show him her inventions, her confidence growing with his encouragement. Naruto could see the spark in her eyes, a passion for creation that matched his own curiosity. In that moment, he felt an unspoken bond with her, a shared understanding that made him feel less alone.

Just then, Vi joined them, her eyes widening as she saw the devices Powder had crafted. She raised an eyebrow, a hint of admiration in her expression.

"You're getting good at this, Powder," Vi said, giving her a nudge. "Keep it up, and we'll have all of Piltover running scared."

Powder laughed, and for the first time in days, she seemed genuinely happy. She hugged her little bombs close, feeling a newfound sense of purpose, a way to contribute and protect her friends. And as Naruto watched her, he realized he wasn't the only one who had found a new sense of family here in the depths of Zaun.

The Last Drop was quiet in the late hours, the raucous energy of earlier in the night fading to a calm stillness. Naruto sat on a worn couch in the basement, lost in thought. His days in Zaun had been full of new faces, challenges, and strange emotions he couldn't entirely place. The world he now lived in was so different from what he felt he must have known before though he couldn't remember anything clearly, just hazy impressions of warmth and security.

As he sat there, pondering these fragments of memory, he heard heavy footsteps descending the stairs. Vander appeared, his broad figure filling the narrow stairwell as he made his way down. He held two cups in his hands, steam rising gently from them. He offered one to Naruto with a warm smile.

"Figured you could use something to warm you up," Vander said, handing the boy a cup of Zaun's best tea a blend of strong, earthy herbs. Naruto took it gratefully, the warmth seeping into his hands.

"Thanks," Naruto murmured, taking a tentative sip. The tea was bitter but comforting.

Vander settled down in an armchair across from Naruto, watching him with a thoughtful expression. "So, how are you holding up, kid?"

Naruto shrugged, unsure of how to answer. He still felt a sense of displacement, as if he were a puzzle piece that didn't quite fit. "It's… different here," he said finally, searching for the right words. "Everyone's been nice to me, and I feel… safe. But it's strange, you know? I don't know where I came from or who I am."

Vander nodded, his expression sympathetic. "That's natural, given what you've been through. You've had a rough start, but you're stronger than most would be in your shoes."

Naruto looked down, his hands tightening around the cup. A part of him felt as though he was carrying a weight, something he couldn't quite explain. The fragments of his past haunted him, but he was afraid of what remembering might mean.

"Vander," he asked quietly, "if I ever remember who I was… if I was someone important, would you… would you still let me stay?"

There was a pause, and Naruto dared to look up, his heart heavy with worry. But Vander's expression was warm, a kind understanding in his eyes that Naruto hadn't expected.

"Listen, Ruto," Vander said, leaning forward. "You're part of this family now. If you feel like you belong here, then it doesn't matter who you were or where you came from. I'll protect you just like I protect Vi, Powder, Claggor, and Mylo. You don't need to prove anything to me or anyone else down here. You're one of us now."

Naruto felt a surge of relief and gratitude as Vander's words sank in. He had feared that his past, once remembered, might tear him away from this strange, new life he was beginning to cherish. But here, in Zaun, he had found something that felt real maybe even like home.

"You mean that?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

"Of course," Vander replied, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "The Undercity might be rough, but we take care of our own. And as long as you're here, you're family. That means we protect each other, no matter what."

Naruto nodded, a faint smile on his lips as the warmth of Vander's reassurance settled within him. For the first time since he had woken up in Zaun, he felt that he wasn't just a lost boy hiding in the shadows. He was a part of something, a place where he was accepted and valued.

"Thank you, Vander," he said, his voice filled with newfound resolve. "I'll do my best to help. To protect everyone."

Vander chuckled, ruffling Naruto's blond hair. "I don't doubt that for a second. But for now, just focus on finding your way. We'll handle the rest together."

Naruto nodded, his heart lighter than it had been in days. This was his life now, with his new family, and he would protect them with everything he had.

The following day, Powder sat alone in a corner of the hideout, fiddling with one of her new creations. Her focus was intense, her fingers moving deftly over the small mechanisms as she assembled yet another gadget.

While she worked, Vi and Mylo stood a little ways off, talking in low voices. Powder noticed them, but she didn't pay much attention until she heard her name.

"Powder almost got us caught, if it wasn't for her, we wouldn't be in this mess to begin with" Mylo muttered, his tone dripping with irritation. "She's always screwing things up. I don't get why you let her tag along, Vi. She's just a jinx."

Powder froze, her fingers stopping mid-assembly as the hurtful words sank in. She clenched her jaw, feeling a familiar ache in her chest as Mylo's words echoed in her mind. She wanted to turn away, to block out the conversation, but she couldn't pull herself away.

Mylo's words were like a knife, cutting into her confidence, making her feel small and insignificant. All she wanted was to help, to prove she was worth something, but it seemed that no matter how hard she tried, she could never shake that label jinx.

Just as the tears began to well up in her eyes, she heard Vi's voice cut through the silence, firm and steady.

"That's enough, Mylo," Vi snapped, her tone sharp with anger. "You have no right to talk about her like that."

Powder's heart skipped as she listened, her breath hitching. Vi was defending her?

"Oh, come on," Mylo scoffed. "You saw her at the heist. She nearly got us caught with that contraption she was fiddling with and let's not forget she wanted to save Ruto. We'd be safer without her tagging along."

"Really?" Vi shot back, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "And I guess you were flawless? I remember you almost blew our cover because you got greedy and went back for more loot. Or did you forget that part?"

Mylo sputtered, but Vi didn't let him get another word in.

"Powder's done more for us than you think," Vi continued. "She's clever, she's resourceful, and she's the only one around here actually trying to make something useful instead of complaining about everyone else. If you're so perfect, Mylo, why don't you try coming up with something as creative as Powder's inventions?"

Powder's heart swelled as she listened, a mixture of relief, pride, and gratitude flooding through her. She had always looked up to Vi, had always wanted to be strong like her. Hearing Vi stand up for her now, defending her against Mylo's constant belittling, was more than she had ever hoped for. But she couldn't bear to stay there any longer, afraid that Vi and Mylo might see her emotions laid bare.

Quietly, she gathered her things and slipped out of the hideout, blinking back the tears that threatened to spill. She made her way down to a nearby alley, where she leaned against the wall and let out a shaky breath, clutching her gadgets close. The hurt was still there, lingering from Mylo's words, but Vi's defence of her had softened it, reminding her that there were people who believed in her.

As the streets of Zaun were dimly lit, the narrow alleys and winding paths bathed in a faint glow from the sparse streetlamps above. Naruto walked alone, his black and orange hoodie pulled up over his head to hide the wound still healing at the back of his skull. His combat pants and dark boots made him blend in, though his heart felt like it was somewhere else entirely, lost in the fragments of memory that flashed through his mind.

As he wandered, Naruto's thoughts drifted to voices that seemed to echo from another life, faint and elusive. His mind replayed a soft, comforting voice a woman's voice, full of warmth and love.

"Goodnight, ...ruto," the voice whispered. A gentle hand rested on his forehead, and he could almost feel a kiss a memory that both comforted and haunted him. He wanted to remember her, whoever she was, but every time he tried to hold on, the memory faded, slipping away like mist.

Lost in thought, Naruto nearly ran into someone. Startled, he looked up to see Powder standing in front of him, a gentle smile on her face. Her blue eyes sparkled with the quiet warmth that he had come to find so reassuring.

"Hey, Ruto," she greeted softly. But her expression quickly shifted to concern when she noticed the troubled look in his eyes. "Are you… okay?"

Naruto felt a surge of calmness wash over him just from being near her. Her presence grounded him, pulling him away from the tangled mess of memories in his head. He managed a small smile, nodding.

"Yeah," he replied, his voice steadying. "Just… thinking. Wanna take a walk?"

Powder's face lit up, and she nodded enthusiastically. "Sure!"

They walked side by side, their steps echoing in the quiet streets as they made their way up the winding staircases and narrow paths that led to a hidden rooftop overlooking Zaun. Once they reached the top, they sat side by side, gazing out at the city below. The view was breathtaking, with Zaun stretching endlessly, lights flickering in the distance, their tiny world framed by the vastness of the night sky above.

Naruto glanced at Powder, feeling a strange sense of comfort in her presence. Even though they had only known each other for a few days, it felt like she understood him in a way that no one else could. She was kind, patient, and always seemed to sense what he was feeling, even when he couldn't put it into words.

"You ever think about the future?" he asked, his voice quiet.

Powder tilted her head thoughtfully, her gaze distant. "Sometimes. But… it's hard to imagine anything different. This is just how things are down here, you know?"

Naruto nodded, his own gaze drifting toward the sky. He wanted to tell her about the strange flashes of memory, the images that teased him with pieces of his past. "I keep seeing things. Little fragments. They're blurry, like they're fading away… but they're there."

Powder turned to look at him, her expression soft with understanding. Before she could respond, she shifted her position and accidentally lost her balance, her foot slipping on the edge of the rooftop.

"Ah!" she yelped, her arms flailing as she teetered dangerously close to the edge.

In an instant, Naruto's reflexes kicked in, and he reached out, grabbing her arm and pulling her back to safety. Powder stumbled into him, clutching his arm as she steadied herself, her face flushed with embarrassment.

"I'm such a jinx," she muttered, looking away, her cheeks turning red.

Naruto chuckled, shaking his head. "No, you're not. If you're a jinx, then I'll be your blessing."

Powder looked up at him, her eyes widening at his words. A shy smile crept onto her face, and she let out a soft laugh. But before she could respond, they both heard a familiar voice behind them.

"That was cute, cringe but very cute Ruto." Vi teased, her arms crossed as she stepped onto the rooftop, an amused grin on her face.

Naruto's cheeks flushed, and he scratched the back of his head, looking away in embarrassment. Powder giggled, her smile widening as she noticed Naruto's flustered reaction.

Vi joined them, settling down on the rooftop and gesturing out toward the city. She pointed to various spots, telling them stories about the places she had explored and the mischief she had caused in her younger days. She spoke about the abandoned buildings they'd turned into hideouts, the markets they'd snuck into, and the secret places she'd discovered, all while Powder listened with rapt attention.

"Powder was always by my side," Vi said with a soft smile, wrapping an arm around her little sister's shoulders. "We'd go everywhere together. I always wanted to protect her, no matter what."

Powder leaned into Vi, her face alight with affection as she hugged her sister back. Naruto watched them, a gentle ache settling in his chest. He didn't understand why, but he felt a sense of loss, as though he, too, had once shared a bond like this with someone a connection that ran deep, one that could withstand anything.

He remembered the faint feeling of a hand ruffling his hair, a warm smile directed just at him. But the memory was faint, too elusive to grasp, and it left him feeling adrift, as if a piece of himself was missing.

"Hey, Ruto," Vi said, noticing the look on his face. "You good?"

Naruto snapped back to the present, managing a small smile. "Yeah, I'm good," he replied, even though he didn't quite believe it himself. But he was learning that here in Zaun, surrounded by Vi, Powder, Claggor, Mylo and Ekko, he could find moments of peace even if he didn't have all the answers.

Powder's eyes lit up with a sudden recollection, and she dug into the small satchel she always carried, her fingers fumbling with excitement.

"Oh! I almost forgot," Powder said, her voice filled with curiosity. She pulled out some small crystals, each one glowing with an otherworldly blue light. She held them out in her hands, her face illuminated by the faint glow.

Vi frowned, glancing down at the crystals. "What are those?"

Powder shrugged. "I… don't really know. I found them when we were in that topside apartment. They just looked interesting, so I took them."

Naruto leaned in to get a closer look, his heart suddenly racing as the blue glow reflected in his eyes. The colour, the way the crystals pulsed with energy it stirred something deep inside him, a memory he hadn't been able to recall until now. As he stared, fragments of voices and images echoed through his mind, ghostly whispers from another time.

"...these Hex Crystals are very dangerous in the wrong hands…"

The voice was a man's, gentle but firm, and Naruto could almost picture a figure leaning over him, his face kind and filled with a sense of warning. His vision shifted, blurring as he remembered seeing one of these crystals fall then a blinding flash of light and… darkness.

Naruto staggered back, his breath catching as he tried to piece together the fragments of memory. Powder and Vi noticed his sudden change, Powder's expression shifting from curiosity to concern.

"Ruto?" Powder asked, tilting her head. "Do you… remember something?"

Naruto nodded slowly, reaching out to take one of the crystals from Powder's hand. "I don't know exactly who I am… but I know what these are. They're dangerous. They're called Hex Crystals, and they… they can cause a lot of harm if they fall into the wrong hands."

Powder looked down at the remaining crystals in her hand, her expression a mix of awe and anxiety. "Should we… should we tell Vander?"

Vi shook her head firmly. "No. This is our secret. If Vander knew, he'd probably take them away, or worse, he'd want to hide them somewhere. But maybe they're supposed to be ours."

Naruto turned the crystal over in his hand, its soft glow illuminating his fingers. Though he still didn't understand his past, something about these crystals felt familiar, as though they were a key to unlocking his forgotten memories. But he also knew, with an unshakable certainty, that they were powerful, and that power could easily be abused.

"These shouldn't get into the wrong hands," Naruto said, his voice steady. He looked up at Vi and Powder, his expression resolute. "We have to be careful with them."

Powder's gaze softened as she studied him. "Ruto… do you remember anything else? Who you are, maybe?"

Naruto shook his head, frustration gnawing at him. "Not yet. Just… pieces. But I know I have to protect you guys. I don't know why, but I feel like… like I'm supposed to keep you all safe."

Vi's expression softened, her usual tough demeanour giving way to something more vulnerable. She placed a hand on Powder's shoulder, giving her a reassuring squeeze. "Ruto's right. We have something powerful here, something we can use to our advantage. And Powder…" she added, her voice turning gentle, "you're stronger than you think. One day, this city will know who we are, and they'll come to respect us for it. I promise."

Powder's face lit up, a shy but determined smile spreading across her lips. She held the remaining crystals with newfound confidence, nodding as she looked at Naruto. "Then we'll keep them safe. Together."

Naruto met her gaze, feeling a surge of determination rise within him. Though his memories were still fragmented and his past uncertain, he knew he had found something worth fighting for. The connection he felt to Vi, Powder, and the others wasn't based on shared history or blood it was a bond forged by loyalty, trust, and the promise of protecting one another.

And as he stood there, gripping the Hex Crystal tightly, Naruto vowed to himself that he would uncover the secrets of his past. But even more than that, he would stand by his new family, and no matter what challenges lay ahead, he would protect them with everything he had, he owed them for saving his life after all.

Chapter 2 – Bonds Act 1 End

A/N

And that's the end! In the next chapter, things will pick up a bit as the enforcers become more aggressive. We'll also see more of Caitlyn and Jayce, while keeping the focus on Naruto.

As for those wondering why Naruto hasn't gone back topside yet, it's pretty simple, being an eleven year old with incomplete memories, he wouldn't want to leave the people who saved him and make him feel safe.

I'm not entirely sure how I'll update this story yet, but since the first arc is already written, I can post chapters whenever. The first arc will be four chapters. After that, we'll go into the timeskip.

Thanks for reading and until next time,

byebye!