Possible Clues:

• Associate with a parent body
• Station that's part of a TV network
• Crushing a flea if it's one attached to a body
• A new leaf -- if it becomes a branch
• Associate
• Become closely connected
• Join fine bones held in after being trimmed
• Associate of a party leader in made up story over a time
• Branch with a leaf if it mutated
• Partner with others in academia over institute losing first minor spat? Start arbitration and all take a step back!