Disclaimer: If only…

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

Chapter Eight

Damnitdamnitdamnitdamnitdamnit…

Minato immediately swerved, watching as the red chakra enveloped Hinata. His breath shortened as the fearsome creature reared. His chest tightened, watching the sweet girl he knew crouch, her body succumbing unconsciously to the power inside.

In that instant, he was transported twelve years to the past…

Hold it here until the Yondaime arrives!

Don't let it get any closer to our village!

Is this the only way?

A baby! A newborn baby!

It's the only way…

PLEASE.

There's nothing left to do.

There's nothing left to do.

But fight.

He heard Kisame retreat behind him, breaking the water prison surrounding Naruto. The boy gasped, stumbling away, splashing though the water.

"H-Hinata… T-Tou-san, what-"

"Go. Get Sasuke and get out of here." There was no room for argument in the voice of the strongest ninja in Konoha, but Naruto hesitated.

"B-But… Hinata…"

"Get Sasuke and leave!" Stupid boy. He loved the kid, but this was something he wasn't ready for. Minato lowered his head, letting out a soft sigh as he heard Naruto hurry away. No distractions. There had to be nothing that could deter him from his goal.

The vicious red figure lowered its head, eyes flashing, wide and feral as they stared around. The chakra flamed, increasing, and then, she bolted, quickly. Feet slammed heavily and swiftly onto the surface, remnants of chakra smoldering in the water. The creature charged, heading towards some unseen target –

And then was knocked aside by a pulse of energy. She let out a wounded cry and then was back up again, snarling angrily. Clearly visible inside was Hinata, completely transformed from before. She wouldn't hesitate, at this point, to hurt anyone or destroy something, but…

It was still Hinata.

Minato leaped away, acting defensively. He kept those words as his mantra, repeating them over and over in his head as his body instinctively moved away from her attacks. A part of him, a part of him that he would likely regret later, wanted to attack, wanted to unleash the full power of the Yondaime Hokage on the Kyuubi. But a larger part warned him that if he did so, he would never forgive himself. Because, even though he had fought the Kyuubi twelve years ago, the one that faced him now was not nearly the same one.

He had to contain her somehow. He had to calm her down and force the Kyuubi away, or the demon would gain dominance of her body. And then nothing would stop it.

The Kyuubi let out a wail and dashed towards him. Minato gathered chakra, and made to teleport away, but tendrils of furious red chakra extended, lashing around him.

Inside, Hinata's eyes glowed, blank and empty, her face contorted into a painful, agonized expression. The chakra surrounded her, enveloping her body, as if it were protecting her, even as it ate away at her soul.

A laughing face molded itself in the chakra, briefly – and the Yondaime started. It was gone instantly, but he could see it, all too clearly – from that disastrous night years ago and now here, mocking him with all his weaknesses.

You may have won the first battle…

But can you win the war?

Thin blades of chakra whipped at him, and he winced, blood staining his uniform. Twisting, Minato broke through her grip and bounded away agilely.

"Doton: Doruki Gaeshi."

Rock sprouted out, breaking apart the water and forming a solid barrier between him and Hinata. It wouldn't serve as much but a distraction-

Chakra sliced through it messily, dirt and rock flying everywhere.

He ducked again, twisting and moving swiftly, completely on the defensive. How he would force the demon away, he didn't know. He just had to stall until he could.

"Now."

"Suiton."

The water underneath the Yondaime trembled, and erupted suddenly. Waves of water cascaded everywhere, infused with the killer intent of chakra and given free reign to devastate and destroy. Large waves crashed around as smaller, focused blades whipped and sliced.

Hinata's eyes sparked suddenly, as the chakra receded slightly. Her eyes widened all of a sudden and she gasped, immediately swallowed by a wave. The demonic red chakra subsided briefly and a strangled cry sounded through the area.

Minato's eyes narrowed. Focusing his chakra, he split the water temporarily and dashed through it, the water crashing back down behind him.

Ducking, he raced for Hinata and reached for her, when a smooth, concentrated stream of flames sped for him. He avoided it narrowly, and turned. Itachi and Kisame were watching him.

The three eyed each other, waiting.

"Suiton: Daibakufu no Jutsu."

As the torrent of water spun towards him, the world swirled.

"Genjutsu."

Minato snorted softly. He prepared to attack back, when a sudden sharp pain cramped his stomach. Leaning over, he coughed, blood spurting into his hand. Staring at it, he knew suddenly what it was.

A wound, received from the Kyuubi's chakra. The demonic chakra apparently held more viciousness and killing intent than he had anticipated.

"You're trapped, Yondaime-kun…"

He struggled briefly, but he had been through enough battles and wars to know when he was at a disadvantage – he knew what would happen. He knew what would happen if he rushed blindly into battle.

Someone would die.

And he wasn't about to let any more of his precious people die.

No matter what.

--

Hinata watched, detached. She could see what was going on now, but she had no idea what had happened. A red haze covered her eyes and blurred everything – she could see destruction, damage, and the Yondaime facing those two other ninjas. But of course, she had no idea what had happened.

And of course, she had no idea what she was doing.

She shut her eyes tightly, and let out a small despondent sob. The last thing she remembered was that overwhelming despair. Her life had flashed quickly, as if to remind her how meaningless it was, how little she had to live for. And then –

Nothing.

Hinata bit her lip, suppressing another tide of emotions. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think.

She was falling, desperately.

Fool.

Oh no.

Don't deny it.

What's happening?

LISTEN TO ME.

And then, suddenly, there was blackness, all around her. Hinata squeezed her eyes shut and prayed.

No one up there can hear you.

Her eyes snapped open. Where was she? Where was that voice – that cruel voice? Right now, all she could see was a hallway, a long, empty, dark hallway.

That's right. Follow me…

Hinata paused, and then her eyes darted behind her, and for a moment she could almost see the destruction being wreaked outside.

So she chose.

And she began to walk.

--

It was a gate. Her lips curved downwards slightly. She had found, at the end of the hallway a gate– a large, rather intimidating gate, but nevertheless just a gate.

Until a tendril of red chakra extended from behind the bars and a sinister voice called to her.

Come closer, kid.

In that one moment, her heart stopped. She didn't breathe. She didn't speak. She couldn't move.

My god…

Ha… The voice rasped with a dark chuckle. Are you dumb? There was a flash of red inside and yellow eyes sparked briefly. Hinata recoiled. She exhaled; her throat was dry and she coughed.

"I…"

So you're the one that keeps me holed up here. Worthless. This is a damnable seal, keeping me here. If I could break out…

"A-Are you…" She yelped softly when his claws scraped against the bars of the cage loudly. "K-Kyuubi…"

Who else would I be? He demanded. Stupid girl. You have too many emotions. Too many human traits. They make you weak.

Her lips tightened. She had been called many things, had been hated by many people. But never had anyone come out and called her weak.

Weak.

She was already damned.

Already an outcast.

A freak.

But after that battle, after seeing those dearest to her be crushed…

She refused to be weak.

Refuse to be weak, eh? Is that what you wanted to say?

Hinata started, staring at him fearfully.

"H-How…"

I've been a part of you for twelve years… He snarled. Cooped up here for twelve long years – after all, isn't that why they call you a Demon? He laughed.

"Twelve years," she whispered. Her heart immediately dropped. Twelve years, she had this beast inside of her, and yet…

"Why?" His yellow eyes leered at her questioningly. "I-I… W-Why… did you…" She choked. "For… twelve years…"

He paced restlessly, and then slammed himself against the cage again, thin wisps of chakra coiling out, tempting her.

That damn man you call Hokage… He grinned at her cruelly. You can thank him for your twelve years.

She stared at him. "Ano…" What should she call him? Kyuubi? Kyuubi-san? It was ridiculous, thinking about this right now – she thought she was going slightly insane.

But then, if she thought about that, she would have known that no one would have blamed her.

"Kyuubi…san…"

He glared at her, and she bit her lip, her fingers twisting together.

Talk, then. Thanks to your wretched Hokage, I have nothing better to do.

"For twelve years… I-I was… so…" She sighed, her white eyes dropping to stare at the ground.

"Lonely."

She looked up to stare at the monstrous creature. "You…?"

He laughed brutally. I'm a demon, you freak.

Demon.

Her lips quirked somberly.

"So was I."

A sudden, sharp pain tugged at her. Her breath catching, the girl fell to her knees. She twisted her head to look again at the Kyuubi, as her vision blurred.

The last thing she saw was a pair of yellow eyes staring at her.

And then the shadowy depths of water.

Gasping, Hinata was dragged out, chakra pooling at her hands and knees to support her on the water.

Oh no… Oh god no…

There was debris everywhere, sunken in the water and sticking out. Bright red stained the liquid, thick clouds of crimson twisting around in the water, moving towards her as the water rippled.

To the side, on dry land, was Naruto, heaving, and trapped. His eyes were bloodshot and his cheeks were wet. He refused to look anywhere but the ground. Sasuke was next to him, stirring, breathing erratically, as a raspy cough escaped his lips.

Standing, completely ignorant, on the water, was Itachi and Kisame. Slow pulses of chakra glowed at their feet as they observed the ruins of their rampage nonchalantly. Kisame was smiling, slowly, Samehada dripping with blood.

And…

Minato.

Her heart stopped for a moment, and she could almost hear the Kyuubi laughing at her. Sickened, she looked down at the scarlet water and let out a devastated whimper.

There were ragged slashes in his body, dripping with raw blood. His arm was positioned awkwardly, and was messily wrapped with torn, dirty cloth. His blonde hair was muddy, wet, matted down with dirt and blood; hanging in his face, sticking up around his head haphazardly. His face was pale, scratched and bruised, a painful grimace stretching his lips. Bright blue eyes, which had once surveyed them all with calm and experience, were half-closed, dull and traumatized, as they flickered around in resignation.

Before landing on her.

Something sparked, and Minato half-stood, half-lay in the shallow water. It was clear he had put up a fight; Kisame was not without injuries, and Itachi was eyeing the man with a tense balefulness, as if confronting an opponent that had not been easy to defeat and would not be easy to keep down.

Their eyes shifted to look at her and she shivered as Kisame's smile widened. Naruto paused, and slowly his head lifted. Cerulean blue eyes, glistening with fear and despair, widened upon seeing her. He leaned forward, as if about to say something, and his mouth gaped in frantic dismay. No words came out.

And, Hinata thought, she might not have listened anyways, too focused was she on the intent look of the rogue ninja.

In that exact moment, she heard three things: the low chuckle of Kisame, the pitched grating laugh of Kyuubi, and the unbearable silence of Itachi.

In the next moment, she saw three things: the flash of stained red as a sword was drawn, the glow of chakra as it crackled with power – and droplets of water, flying in a delicate arc, before they splashed, rippling briefly before disappearing, as if they never existed.

In that same instant, as the world spun dizzyingly and time slowed agonizingly, she felt just one thing:

Devastation.

She cried out, sinking to her knees as a shocking pain spread through her body. But as she looked down, her eyes widened and it hurt even more – it hurt, and she knew why, but she didn't know why she couldn't do anything, couldn't move, couldn't even speak and…

Minato half-stood, his eyes trained on Itachi and Kisame, determined. He had blocked any attack –

But had not saved himself.

Her mind froze, and dimly she could hear a distraught voice screaming hoarsely, water splashing around her. Naruto kneeled beside her, submerged in the water, and shook her violently.

"H-Hina- Hinata…!" He let out a wail and then his hands dropped to his father, tugging him out of the water, struggling and crying all at once, not fully realizing what had just happened.

"T-Tou-san…" He grasped at his father's face, shaking his shoulders, pressing at wounds.

"Naruto…" Minato looked up at his son and smiled gently. "I… I'm sorry. So-" He cut off abruptly, coughing as blood trickled down the side of his face. "So sorry…"

"For what?" Naruto demanded, pointedly ignoring the tears that were rolling down his face. "Hinata's fine, and you're fine and I'm fine and baka Sasuke is-" He cut off abruptly and turned, socking Sasuke in the arm roughly, sniffing loudly as he yelled at him almost incoherently.

"Y-Yo, Sasuke-teme…" A choked sound escaped as he spoke. "Get up, baka. S-Stop sleeping… lazy…"

The Hokage snorted softly and would have rolled his eyes under any other circumstance. "He's up, Naruto-kun," he said, as Sasuke groggily rolled to the side, waking up from one nightmare to another.

"O-Oi," he said, painfully sitting up. "What-" His voice faded as he began to take in the destruction surrounding them, and the two ninjas still standing on the water, watching them with little concern.

Itachi exhaled softly. He couldn't say that this had been a waste of time, but – It had certainly been enlightening. The Uchiha would have smiled, had he been the kind of person to do so. What had started as a simple reconnaissance mission had turned into a full-fledged battle between him and his brother (who he had been invariably disappointed in, not even having to activate the full Mangekyo) and then the Yondaime.

"You're a fool," he said. "Nothing. You still understand nothing."

Though the words were directed at the Yondaime, Sasuke tensed, as the familiar voice from his childhood drifted towards them.

"What we came here for… was not th e girl."

Kisame smirked, knowing where his partner was going. "What we came for was information." He sighed gustily, mockingly. "Had you simply ignored us…"

Letting their words linger, the two left, the water where they had been previously standing rippling calmly before settling.

And then, the rain began to fall. It drizzled slowly, gently, almost as if to comfort them, before reverting and pounding at them, numbing and mocking and hurting and it was the rain of the skies, the tears of the gods, and the manifestation of everything they couldn't say.

Out of the distance, out of the aching silence that foreboded nothing, one last phrase cinched the pain and gripped at the hurt, clinging and echoing throughout the clearing, ringing far above the fall of the rain.

"Your death was a meaningless one."

"Meaningless?" Minato chuckled softly, coughing as he did, his bright yellow hair in sharp contrast to the mud surrounding them. "Meaningless. Feh. N-Naruto… Sasuke…" He sighed. "Hinata."

She heaved, and collapsed, clothes muddy and wet with the rain. "I…" It didn't matter anymore; the regret, the sins of years ago were gone, they didn't matter anymore. The rain was meant to cleanse and revive, but it soaked her, leaving her with sodden clothing and a heavy heart.

"Meaningless. That word means nothing," Minato said. "Remember… If you leave this world with no regrets… then no death… no death… is meaningless."

Sasuke was silent. No regrets. That's what he would have to do from now on. He was sick – so sick of people dying in front of him, sick of that man upending his life time and time again. Looking down at this man that had saved their village and saved him, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity, of sorrow. There was no shame in stopping while you were ahead.

Hinata sobbed noiselessly. Everything, everything was going wrong. It wasn't supposed to be like this. What could she do…? Cry? Scream? Fight? She couldn't regret. She was already crying, and she had never been one for screaming. Then, all she could do was… fight? Fight like he had, and fight like she would.

Naruto clung to his father desperately, rocking and protesting and coughing and crying. One hand reached up to grab at his yellow hair – so like his father's – and steady his head. All his life he had known only one person: Tou-san. His mother had died long ago, and so many people couldn't see past the brilliant blue eyes and blond hair that was so much like his father's.

And now…

Rain, fall.

To hide our tears and give us solace.

Rain, fall.

Before the morning rises and sheds light on reality.

It was raining.

--

It was not an ordinary day.

The morning was clear; if not sunny, certainly not dark.

By all accounts, it should have been an ordinary day.

The completion of another mission and the return of his team.

But, it was never an ordinary day.

Not for Hatake Kakashi.

I'm the last.

The village had wasted no time in carving the great Yondaime's name into the memorial stone, immortalized forever. It stood there, for everyone to see, no larger than any other name – and in a few years, no more meaningful than the other names.

It wouldn't be long before the Hokage name was passed down to another, and all that was left of Minato was the Hokage Monument.

Kakashi stood, in front of the memorial stone, hands shoved inside the pockets of his black outfit. The entire village had been swathed in black today, cloaked with the heavy despair of the loss of their greatest hero.

"Yeah, yeah… I know… I'm late…" He wasn't quite sure who he was talking to now. "Sorry. I'll be on time tomorrow." He never was. "There was a special on instant ramen today." He always made up excuses, even when no one was around to hear them. "A new flavor." He then talked about meaningless things, for nothing else.

"But… If this new flavor is popular enough… then they'll stop selling the old one. My usual one." He smiled bitterly. "I think I'll miss it."

Kakashi exhaled softly. "I should have expected this, shouldn't I have? Everything changing… With my luck, as soon as I start to like this new flavor, they'll change it again."

To anyone else he was talking about ramen.

To those who were listening he was talking about life.

He turned and began walking away, towards the funeral. They would call him late, as usual.

But no one would know that he was the first to begin grieving.

--

"The funeral for the Fourth Hokage… who lost his life in battle… will begin now."

The wind blew, whistling a mournful melody, ringing with the distant echo of the Yondaime's power. The sun dimly lit the day, throwing faint shadows around the town as the sky was painted a bleak gray.

The flag was lowered to half-mast, swaying gently. Surrounding the tribute were figures clothed in black, their faces a mix of contorted pain and sorrow.

Standing at the front, in a grief all his own, was Naruto. As the Yondaime's son, he had been given privileges at the funeral. To those who looked at him, he was crying. To those who thought about him, he was dying.

The Sandaime stood, a figure of strength and composition amongst the rest. He sighed, lazy rings of smoke drifting away in front of him. As he watched the people of the village approach the tribute, there was a faint twinge of resignation. There was something numbing about outliving so many people – of watching people grow up, and then watching them die.

He was really too old for this.

There was a picture of the Yondaime, seated on top of the tribute, smiling still, proud – or perhaps mischievous. The prodigious ninja had never quite lost that streak of laughter and youth in him that had so endeared him to people. His eyes were blue with life and strength, and the vigor of being young and on top of the world.

It was a sharp contrast to the downcast eyes of a boy who had just lost everything.

"Kid."

Naruto bit his lip, his eyes tearing furiously. That voice… From the time he was a kid, he couldn't ever remember a time when that guy wasn't around, either in his stupid stupid books lying around the house or his stupid big white hair or his loud and stupid voice or… or…

"Jiraiya-sama."

The great Sannin frowned. He couldn't remember a time when the kid had actually called him by his name, much less "sama".

"You came to see him, right?" Naruto struggled with the words, squeezing his eyes shut, keeping his voice purposefully bland. "Go already."

Jiraiya retreated slightly and approached the tribute. Minato's picture grinned up at him; as if he was telling his perverted sensei that he had once again mastered a Jutsu (or gotten the girl).

"Yeah, I know, I was supposed to go first, right, Minato?" Jiraiya set a white flower down. "But you were always the reckless one, the brave one. The one who would give anything for the people he loved." The white-haired man almost laughed. "It's a surprise I'm not in your place, considering all the times I had to chase after you and save your behind."

There was a flash in his mind of him, years younger, and Minato, looking the exact same as he always had. They were arguing, as usual, and Minato was showing off again, and Jiraiya was bragging and exaggerating again.

Minato was graduating, becoming so much, unlocking the potential that had always been there.

Minato was falling, falling towards a life he had never quite dreamed about with a woman he had never quite known, but was all that he had ever wanted.

Minato was smiling, grinning, proud and exhausted, and bringing into the world a new life that had the exact same eyes as his father.

Minato was covered, covered with blood and pain and doubts, and holding a baby with eyes like the moon.

And here was Minato again. Stuck inside a picture, that never ending grin etched in the memory of Konoha forever.

"See you, Minato."

The genins approached the tribute, in a train of black and naivety. In succession, they laid the flowers down, reflecting on the Yondaime Hokage.

He was always a great leader…I want to be like him… Strong… Determined…

He didn't die for nothing…

He left us something… something important. Something to be cherished…

I'm sorry. Hinata gently set the flower down. I never meant for this to happen. I'll do better, I promise. For everything you left to us…

For everything you died for. Sasuke put down the flower. For everything you died for, I'll remember that. Nothing will change…

Except for us. Naruto swallowed painfully, his fingers playing with the flower, unwilling to part with it. Nothing will ever be the same now, not anymore.

Did I make you proud of me? Did I do anything worth being proud of? The next time I see you…

I'll go to you with something worthy of what you sacrificed for us.

--

It was not an ordinary day.

The sun was falling, drifting towards the horizon. Naruto lay on the roof of the Hokage mansion.

Jiraiya climbed up and stood, just behind him.

"Didn't think I'd find you here."

He shrugged.

"You should be inside, kid."

He shook his head.

Snorting, Jiraiya hauled him up, one hand digging at his shoulder.

"Cry, kid. You're a genin, right?" When Naruto nodded, Jiraiya snorted in reply. "You're not a ninja yet. You're a kid whose dad is dead. Cry. Yell. Scream. But stop pretending it's okay."

Naruto stared at him, and then shook, his eyes welling up with tears. With a garbled sob, he threw himself at Jiraiya and buried his face in the thick jacket. Distant memories from his childhood drifted through his mind, but every time he remembered a flash of yellow hair that wasn't his own, the tears poured faster.

"Okay, okay, kid… You can stop crying now…"

Jiraiya pushed Naruto away, and the two sat down, Naruto a bit unsteadily.

"So what are you going to do now?"

The blond boy scrunched up his mouth. "I…" He looked towards the Hokage Monument, the sun framing the large stone figures. He winced and looked away quickly as he caught sight of the cracked Fourth Hokage.

"I'm going…" He inhaled deeply and burst into a tearful grin, tears rolling down his cheeks even as he spoke. "I'm going to be Hokage."

Jiraiya nodded. It made sense, he supposed. It wasn't like the kid was a genius, but he wasn't bad.

"That's what your dad told me, twenty-five years ago." Jiraiya snorted suddenly and shoved Naruto. "A scrawny kid like you, Hokage? Keep dreaming."

Naruto looked at him, eyes wide and then turned back to the sky, back to the eternal protectors of Konoha.

"I will."

And the rain did not fall.


Xue: Well, I actually meant to update on Naruto's birthday... and then it passed, without me realizing it. So... happy birthday... Asuma? oO Well, it is his birthday, so show some respect for the dead, everyone! ... Uh... right.

With this chapter, this arc has finally been wrapped up. There's not much more left, and if you want, keep checking our profile for updates. Next time, we'll probably include more about the direction this story is taking.

Jutsu Translations

Doton: Doruki Gaeshi
(Earth Wall)
Suiton: Daibakufu no Jutsu
(Water Element: Explosion Skill)