Disclaimer: Do you like cheese? NO.

Summary: There are thousands of worlds in this universe. In this one, Hinata grew up as a Jinchuuriki, hated by most, shy and unconfident. Naruto was raised as the Uzumaki heir, arrogant and proud. When their lives cross, they'll find that some worlds aren't so different after all.

Unparalleled

Prologue

"It's over." A candle sputtered to life, illuminating the darkness.

"Yes, thank god. Yondaime has saved us again."

"Bless his soul." The middle-aged woman pressed a hand to her heart in relief. "He lives?"

"I should hope he does!" The other nodded resolutely. "His dear son, only two months old!"

"Yes, but what-" A sudden cry pierced the air, and the two women glanced at each other, slowly maneuvering around in the darkness. One ventured towards the door, peering outside carefully. With a startled gasp, she flung it open.

"Goodness, look!" She came back in, cradling a bundle in her arms. "A baby!"

"A newborn, from the looks of it."

"The poor thing!" She rubbed the baby's cheek gently. "So many families have been lost in this battle."

"Wait – look." The other pushed aside the blanket to reveal a swirling design on the baby's stomach. The two stared in silence, before one briskly wrapped the blanket around the baby again.

"We'll speak to the Hokage about this," she said. "But now I think it's time the little one got some rest." She laid the baby down and sighed, stroking a few stray hairs. "Sleep well, child. You have a hard life ahead of you."

As she walked away, the baby's eyes opened to reveal pure lavender eyes, innocent and calm, and unknowing of the hardships that life would bring.

--

A swing creaked gently. A young girl with dark blue hair and lavender eyes sat there, rocking slowly.

"What are you doing? Get back inside!"

Hinata looked up in shock before nodding. Her fingers poked together nervously as she walked back in, avoiding the angry eyes of the orphanage caretaker. Mustering her courage, she attempted an apology.

"G-Gomen." She wished her voice wouldn't tremble so much. "I-I was just-"

"Just get inside."

Flinching at the cold words, Hinata hurried back indoors as quickly as she could without running; she had no intention of being yelled at again.

She was used to it by now, though.

--

"Naruto!"

The boy winced, turning around sheepishly. "Tou-san!" he said, grinning innocently. "Ne, ne, can you play now?"

The Yondaime Hokage looked down at his son, shaking his head with a smile. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that what you were just doing?" Without waiting for a reply, he swung the boy up, letting him sit on his shoulders. "C'mon then, Naruto! We haven't been to Ichiraku in a while!"

They walked through the streets of Konoha, Naruto laughing as he pointed out things, his father smiling indulgently.

"Hokage-sama!" A middle-aged woman hurried up to him, bowing as she reached him. Straightening up, she indicated a small group of children just a little ways off. "Th-The children were asking about you. I-If you had time…"

He laughed good-naturedly in response. "Come, Naruto-kun! Time to be of good service to the community."

The blond child pouted in reply but went along with his dad, as they walked around with the children, the Hokage talking, making jokes and offering advice; the children were too star struck by their idol, the hero of the village, to do much.

As they waved them away, Naruto leaned down to his dad's ear.

"Ne, Tou-san – who were they?"

His eyes were darker, sadder as he said, "They were the children from the orphanage." He reached up to tap his son on the head. "Never forget what you have, Naruto. Never forget the power of being loved, of having people who would do anything for you, who you can call your own."

Naruto looked up, watching the retreating children, and his eye caught a dark-haired girl at the back, stumbling along behind the group, as if she didn't belong. He blinked, and the next moment they had rounded the corner and were out of sight.

"I have you, Tou-san. I'll always have you."

Yondaime smiled. "Hai, Naruto."

"And you have me!" The little boy said, grinning for all his worth. "I won't let you down!"

He chuckled. "I never thought you would, Naruto."

As they walked back towards the Hokage mansion, never did they consider the power of recognition, of acknowledgment.

Or the power of a timid young girl, lost amid her curse and her destiny.

Mei Xue: It's been forever since we first planned this story and NOW IT'S OUT! I'm so happy... :')

Mei Hua: Yeah, I've got nothing.