Disclaimer: Don't own nothing
Summery: 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.
Author's Note: Uh… been a while, hasn't it? I apologize for the long wait, but here, in all its glory, is Chapter 6!
Unparalleled
Chapter Six
Hinata leaned forward, a smile on her face. This mission had been her first opportunity to leave Konoha, and this was the first time she had ever seen another village.
It looked amazing.
Craning her neck, Hinata marveled at the architecture and the large structures, similar but different to the ones surrounding Konoha. The shinobi guards at the door stopped them.
"Hello!" Minato said before the guards could speak. "We're envoys from Konoha; we have an appointment with the Raikage."
"The Raikage?" One raised an eyebrow. "We weren't informed about any envoys from Konoha."
"Ah, well… It was a bit of a rush." The Hokage rubbed his head sheepishly, but Sasuke's eyes narrowed.
A rush? He said he had a few business matters, but if they were informal enough to not even inform the Raikage of them ahead of time, why would they require the Hokage traveling all the way to Cloud to meet with him?
Minato held out a small scroll that had been tucked inside his Jounin vest. "The signature is authentic and everything."
The two ninja opened the scroll and scanned it. "He's right; the stamp of Konoha and the signature of Yondaime Hokage." Shrugging, he handed the scroll back to the yellow-haired man. "Just know that they'll examine it more closely before they let you see the Raikage."
"Fair enough," he said and walked through the now-open gates, Team 7 trailing behind him.
--
"The Raikage?" The Cloud Chuunin frowned. "I… highly doubt that the Raikage would abandon his duties to meet with someone who doesn't even have an appointment." He scanned the scroll in front of him again, sighing. "Even with this scroll, and the Hokage's signature, I cannot assure you of anything."
"Then…" Minato frowned briefly before grinning again. "Tell him Uzumaki is here to see him. Or better yet, say 'Yellow Flash'." Bewildered, the Chuunin nodded before walking off, muttering about how that name sounded familiar. The Hokage turned to the Genin and winked.
"If the man has any memory, he'll know who I am."
Surely enough, minutes later a stately figure in the Kage robes walked out, the Cloud nin trailing after him, feebly saying that he could have just retrieved the visitors from Konoha and Raikage-sama you really shouldn't have come all the way out here…
"Why wouldn't I come out to greet the visitors myself?" The older man raised an eyebrow. "It's unlike you to leave Konoha for anything but emergencies… Hokage-sama."
"Well," He couldn't help but smile as a few of the ninjas loitering around the lobby reacted audibly to the title. "I had some issues to discuss with you. Besides…" Yondaime smirked. "I needed the fresh air."
--
"Then… what are we doing?"
"Hokage-sama said we could… walk around a bit… Explore Kumogakure… i-if we didn't go far…" Hinata suddenly shut her mouth in dismay as she realized it had gone quiet at her words. Both Sasuke and Naruto were staring at her contemplatively.
"Okay then!" Naruto perked up immediately. "Let's go! Hinata-chan! Sasuke-teme!"
Reluctantly, Sasuke let himself be dragged towards the shops and restaurants of the village, Naruto doing most of the dragging and Hinata following along obediently.
"Dango!" Naruto crowed and pranced towards a small shop, eagerly buying the treat. Taking the dango, he pulled one off the stick and savored it, walking back towards his teammates.
"Here," he said, holding out two sticks of the treat. "You can have them."
"I don't like sweets," Sasuke said under his breath, but accepted it grudgingly as his blond teammate waved it in his face. As he took the dango, Naruto let out a victory cry.
"Hah! There! You owe me now, Sasuke!"
He snorted in reply. Hinata smiled and took a bite of her's.
"Thank you, Naruto-kun."
"No problem, Hinata-chan!" he said. "Don't worry – you don't owe me anything."
She smiled at him and took another bite of her dango.
--
"Now, Hokage-sama, why are you really here?"
Minato chuckled to himself. "You really don't miss anything, do you?"
"As a Kage, I know the devotion one has to his village, and I know that Konoha is prosperous and powerful enough to be a tempting target. Particularly if their Hokage is missing."
"Raikage-sama-"
"It's those Genin, isn't it? One looks remarkably like you."
"Yeah, I get that a lot. Everyone says he looks like me and acts like his mom."
"Poor kid," the Raikage said bluntly.
"Hah!" Yondaime leaned back casually, completely at ease. "But I did have something to discuss with you." He pulled out a scroll. "First off, this scroll is the official document that I assigned to be guarded."
The Raikage took it and broke it open, pulling it open. His eyes scanned the words before setting it down.
"That is rather anticlimactic."
Minato grinned. "I know. Agriculture reports aren't nearly as exciting as declarations of war."
"Get to the point."
His face turned serious. "Have you heard reports of a group of rogue ninja? All S-class missing nin; there's been a few suspicious reports lately, but the idea of these powerful criminals working together seems so extreme that most ignore them."
"And you believe them?"
"I'm actually not so concerned about them at the moment, but rather what they're doing." He leaned forward. "This many power-hungry ninjas who betrayed their village can't be planning anything small. And the person with enough authority and power to control them isn't thinking about world peace."
"So you come all the way to Kumogakure to tell me of your little hunches?" The Raikage smirked. "I'm flattered, really."
"It's more than a hunch," he said. "I've been a ninja for over two decades – I can tell when there are people following me."
The Raikage's eyes sharpened and he raised an eyebrow. "Following you? For what purpose? It's ridiculous to think that they're after the Hokage."
Minato closed his eyes and shook his head. "I can think of a few things they might be after…"
"I'll trust your judgment then. You'll be leaving Kumogakure soon, I assume?"
"Yeah." He smiled. "Can't stay away from Konoha too long."
"Be careful then – wouldn't want your Sandaime to have to come out of retirement."
He made a face. "Old man Sarutobi would kill me if I made him do something like that. He'd probably have a minor heart attack himself, in any case."
The Raikage raised an eyebrow. "You always were a strange one, Minato-san."
His smile faded as he looked out the window.
"It's been a while since anyone has been able to act like this."
There was a long pause, as the two great leaders of their village sat in silence, before Minato broke out into his trademark grin and turned back to him.
The Raikage had the fleeting impression that he should remember this smile, this expression, the face of one of the greatest ninjas to have ever lived.
--
"So, that's it then? We're really done here?"
Naruto let out a heaving sigh and plopped down in the road with a pout.
"Tou-san – we've been in Kumogakure for barely a day! Ne, let's stay longer; we can do that, right?"
Minato rolled his eyes and ruffled his son's hair in response. "Hey, Hinata-chan – why don't you tell this dolt why we can't stay longer?"
"Ah…" Hinata bit her lip slightly before saying, "Naruto-kun… H-Hokage-sama told us at the beginning of the mission that we would have a limit of about t-ten days." She paused, glancing at the Hokage for confirmation. "We've been gone almost… f-five or six days now. Um…" She struggled with her words, unsure if she was being cheeky or not. "We shouldn't waste time o-or stay here too long."
"Correct." Minato winked at Hinata. "So Naruto… ready to go?"
The blond ninja sighed and hefted his pack back onto his shoulders, flashing a sudden grin. "Back to Konoha, then!"
The Hokage smiled and turned his head towards Sasuke. "Sasuke-kun – have you had your fill of Kumogakure yet? Ready to go?"
He grunted in acquiescence, nodding once. Naruto made a face; stupid teme, too good to give an actual answer.
Minato looked at them, and smiled. He really was getting too old for this.
As the four made to leave, a stately figure walked up to them, trailed by two confused, pleading ninjas.
"Hokage-sama."
"Raikage-sama – come to see us off?" Minato smiled cheekily, and gestured towards the robes and hat. "And dressed up too? You make me feel shabby in comparison…"
The Raikage shook his head, and then glanced towards the three genin. "So this is the genin team that is temporarily led by the Hokage." The dark-haired one was an imposing figure, even at this young age. The sight of the blond boy couldn't help but bring a half-smile to his face – anyone could see his father in him, but fewer could tell that there was a shinobi lying in wait, and a formidable one, if he tried.
His eyes landed on the white-eyed girl, who was biting her lip, her eyes darting around.
"I can see why," the Raikage said, and turned his eyes fully on his fellow Kage.
"Keep the village safe," Minato said, shrugging as he adopted a quieter voice, losing none of the command he had developed over years of being the Hokage.
The Raikage nodded, lowering his hat slightly, as he watched the four depart from Kumogakure. There was something he wanted to say, something he felt he should say. But he remained silent.
And he watched as the shinobi of Konoha embarked on what was to be their longest journey yet.
--
The Hokage Monument stood, stately and unmoving, a symbol of the power of the Hokage and his people. It stood as a physical protector of the village, but more as a metaphorical protector that was always there, always watching over the future of Konoha.
The greatest shinobi of the village would be immortalized there forever.
Partly because they were great.
Partly because it was all the village could do in return for these people who loved them so much that they knew they would someday, somehow, sacrifice themselves for it.
Whether they would have to live emptily or die peacefully, in some way a part of them would be given up for the village.
Whether they did it willingly and happily, or grudgingly and regretfully, all who ever held the title Hokage knew that the Hokage Monument would someday, perhaps, be all that was left of them in the village.
Sandaime exhaled a thin stream of smoke. Ah… he looked so much younger in stone. He snorted quietly to himself and lowered the Hokage hat (which he hadn't worn in years, and had been quite skeptical when Yondaime had come to him, asking for a brief vacation and would he please come out of retirement for just a few days?).
He hadn't worn this hat in years.
He hadn't thought much about the monument before.
Perhaps when Minato returned, he would talk with him about filling in the cracks that were beginning to form in the stone.
--
They were traveling at a much faster pace, Hinata noticed. On the way to Kumogakure, it had taken them nearly four days – by now it was only their second night back on the road, and she could tell that they had already made progress into the Country of Fire.
They were setting up camp for the night now, all three Genin looking marginally relieved that they were resting.
"Cheers, to your first C-rank mission." Minato lifted a canteen of water. "And to my first C-rank mission in over a decade."
Naruto laughed loudly. "Wait till we tell everyone we did a C-rank! Isn't it awesome, Hinata-chan?"
She smiled, setting away some of the cooking supplies from their dinner. "I-… It's a good first step, Naruto-kun."
"Ne, Tou-san, we should get more C-rank missions! They're not hard – we can do them!"
Minato shook his head. "Let's talk about that when we get back to Konoha – I'm sure Kakashi would be absolutely thrilled to hear that." He grinned wryly, and then stood.
"Hinata, why don't you take the first shift? I'll be out to relieve you in a while."
"Night, Hinata!" Naruto said, disappearing into the tent.
"Sleep well, Naruto-kun… Sasuke-kun."
Sasuke paused before nodding at her and following Naruto.
Hinata exhaled quietly, and settled herself next to the dying embers of the fire, smiling.
Time passed. The forest was quiet, save for the usual sounds of night. The fire flickered, casting long shadows across the ground, outlining her figure. Her thoughts wandered, her eyes grew heavy.
Blinking furiously, Hinata shook herself alert – she still wasn't used to keeping watch, not when there seemed to be so little danger. But, then, what would Hokage-sama say if he came out and found her sleeping? Hinata activated her Byakugan and cast them around the forest.
Nothing.
Sighing, she relaxed and looked back towards the fire, chin propped in her hand.
Which was how Minato found her.
"Hinata?"
Startled, the Hyuuga sprung up, eyes blazing. When she caught sight of the Hokage, her tense figure loosened, and she blushed faintly.
"H-Hokage-sama… Gomen. I didn't see you…. W-Well, y-yes, I saw you, but-"
"No, no, that's good that you were alert despite everything. Although, when you saw me," his eyes turned partially serious, "you shouldn't have automatically assumed that I was the real person. A simple Henge can fool many people. Now then," he continued. "What could you ask me to ensure that I really am the Hokage?"
"U-Um…" Her brow furrowed in confusion. "What… What is… Naruto-kun's… favorite food?"
He laughed. "Ramen, Hinata-chan. Ramen, and every single flavor of it as well." He grinned, glancing back towards the tent. "That is both clever and amusing, Hinata." He sat down near her, on the other side of the fire.
"How has it been out here?"
"W-Well… there hasn't been anything so far…" She looked down and away and shrugged. "I didn't sense any danger."
"Okay." Minato paused and frowned. There was so much he wanted to say; so much he could say to this girl. Hinata lingered, waiting for him to say something.
"Hinata… As the Hokage… I have a responsibility to my people. To make sure that they are… happy." She nodded warily.
There hadn't been many instances where they had met before; her Byakugan and this mission. But… she had always wondered. About the Kyuubi. About this powerful beast sealed inside her, and she wondered. Who had done it – and why? She thought she knew, but she wasn't sure. So she kept it back in the farthest corner of her mind. And now the Yondaime was speaking to her, asking if she was happy.
"Hokage-sama…"
"Hinata, Konoha is a wonderful village. It is, I believe. I think many people think the same way. But… it's not perfect."
She sighed. "Yes," she agreed softly. "I know that."
"And… as the Hokage, I think I'm doing an okay job. But not perfect. Nowhere near perfect." Her silence spoke volumes, and Minato shut his eyes, praying that he didn't mess this up. He owed her this much, at least.
"Nobody's perfect," Hinata said suddenly, and when he looked at her, she smiled somberly, eyes luminous in the firelight.
"There's not much I can say to you. There's not much I could say to someone like you… someone who has probably lived a life completely different from mine. So I'm sorry. I wish I could have experienced just a little of what you've been through, if only so I could say I understand."
Looking back, Hinata decided, this would probably seem strange. She, a nobody Genin was talking with the Hokage. He was apologizing to her. She thought she knew why. Neither of them had mentioned it, and neither of them was completely sure the other was talking about the same thing. But that was okay. Looking back, this would probably seem strange. But right now, it seemed perfectly right.
"Thank you," Hinata said. His eyebrows tilted in surprise, and she said, "Thank you, for giving me this opportunity… and for keeping Konoha safe. That's all anyone could ever ask of you.
"Nobody's perfect… But…" She hesitated, but plowed on, feeling braver and more scared than she had ever been in her life. "I think if I had to choose, I would want you to lead our village."
Minato smiled warmly and laughed softly to himself. "Thank you."
Finally, Hinata stood and retreated to her tent, leaving Minato to reflect on this strange, brave young girl who was beginning to take her first steps into the light.
--
"We're almost home!" Naruto cheered, raising his arms in the air triumphantly.
"Less than a day away from Konoha, now!"
"We would almost be there by now if the dobe had actually decided to wake up this morning," Sasuke said.
"Geez, Sasuke." Naruto groaned, shifting his pack. "I said I was sorry! Besides, it wasn't like you came to wake me up. You probably drugged my food or something!"
"Naruto-kun." Hinata sighed. It had been a restless night for her, as she kept repeating Yondaime's words in her head. She wasn't completely sure she hadn't been dreaming – but it was nice, in a way. She almost felt as if he was apologizing for something he didn't do, but felt responsible for. It was nice, receiving an apology.
"Stop."
The entire team froze suddenly. The entire forest had gone silent, and the breeze stilled. The Hokage had stopped them all, his body tensing as he felt the adrenaline of an imminent fight pulse through his body, accompanied with the cold dread of who his opponent would be and what they would be here for.
As if from a mirage, two figures appeared, lithely and lethally, in front of them.
Black cloaks rippled with the nonexistent wind, and two straw hats lay discarded on the ground.
"It seems there's no point in hiding anymore, is there?"
In an instant, Hinata felt three things happen at once:
The whistle of a kunai splitting the air as it traveled towards its enemy, carrying more than just a sharp blade.
The vicious, gut-wrenching scream of Sasuke as he hurtled towards his ambition.
And Hinata felt the end of everything she had ever known, as her world came crashing down around her.
Xue: Ooh… cliffie. Please review! Because even if I keep writing, reviews are very motivating (as well as nice little reminders to update :P)