Hello and welcome to my third fanfiction! I don't really have much to say. Just excuse any spelling or grammar mistakes. I'll try to keep those to a minimum. And a key point to remember during this fic/chapter is that Naruto is 6 years old and BLIND! And he's going to be smarter and a little more insightful. So keep that in mind while reading this fiction.

Blind Love

Chapter 1: Guardians

-Forest: Near Konoha-

Naruto Uzumaki…was having a bad day. It all started when his escort, the person supposed to watch and protect him, was late which was unusual. Now Naruto originally thought his escort was somewhat neutral to him. Neither mean to kind to him. But this day had proven him wrong.

He never learned his name so he just called him 'Mr.' He once asked for it so that it wouldn't seem so weird to address him but he refused. So anyway when he finally did arrive he didn't offer any excuses so they just left to go about their original routine. But halfway through the day they were approached by a group of people, around 10 or so judging by the number of footsteps. His escort and a man exchanged a few word and Naruto had the impression they were hoping he didn't notice the others.

Suddenly he was grabbed from behind and he shouted for help but only received a punch to the stomach. Then the others joined in and he was beaten relentlessly. Soon after they stopped of fear of attracting too much attention. Then his escort, judging by his build and weight, hefted him up and spoke a few words to the crowd before taking off.

He was later dumped in a secluded part of the forest surrounding Konoha. With a parting blow, a kick to the stomach, his escort left him to die. He at first stood and tried to find his way back to the village. But it was pointless because he had no idea which way to go and he couldn't hear anything but the trees and various animals.

Soon after it began to rain and Naruto found the largest tree he could by touch and curled up in a small indent in it trying to shelter himself from the cold. It was approaching winter and the raindrop felt like tiny needles against his skin. And the rain only confused his senses so he could not tell if anyone was near. Oh yes it was indeed a bad day…and perhaps his last. "Come to me tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man." Naruto chuckled bitterly at the line he just recited from one of the stories Neko had read to him.

-Deeper in the Forest-

Yugao Uzuki…was also having a bad day. It started of promising. She woke up early and had a decent breakfast before heading to the Hokage's Tower to receive her mission. But she was disappointed when all that was left was a simple delivery mission that would have usually been left for a genin team not an ANBU agent like her. Things apparently were going slow. So she took off on another boring mission that would last her the rest of the day.

And right in the middle of the mission the sky began to pour buckets upon buckets of freezing rain that had her freezing in minutes despite her jacket and armor. She was relieved to get to her destination and drop off the goods. After warming up and grabbing a bite to eat at a local tavern she left for Konoha. One glance at the sky told her that this was just the beginning of the storm and the worst was yet to come. "Just great." She muttered to herself as she headed for home. And boy was she right.

Just as she began to think that she was going to make it home before the worst hit she was proven dead wrong. Quickly the winds picked up to a howling speed and the rain started to come down even heavier forcing her to stop tree hopping and continue on foot. As she continued on towards Konoha she caught site of something.

It was a footprint. The size of it indicated it was a child's and by the looks of it, it was about a couple hours old. But thanks to the weather she couldn't put an accurate time on it. Here it moved in one direction then another before one of the footprints smeared so the child must have tripped or something. A couple hours or not she couldn't bring herself to continue on without making sure the child made it home safely.

She followed the footprints through the forest. 'Strange they seem to be moving in completely random directions from tree to tree.' She observed as she saw the prints circle a tree a couple times before moving in a different direction. She soon came upon a decent sized tree that the footprints were moving towards. Following the prints with her eye's she saw a familiar mop of blonde hair against the tree.

"Naruto?" Yugao asked startled.

"W-who's there?" Naruto stuttered.

"Naruto it's me…Neko." Yugao answered moving closer.

"P-prove it." Yugao could see him clearly now. He was soaking wet and was visibly shivering.

"Last month on your birthday. I stayed with you the whole day. I let you feel my face and I told you my name." Yugao said still moving closer until she was right in front of him.

"Yugao?" Naruto shivered.

"Yes." Yugao said pulling the soaked boy into a hug trying to shelter him from the rain with her body. He was shivering violently against her and his skin was cold to the touch.

"W-where am I?" Naruto asked nestling up against her seeking out the warmth.

"Not far from Konoha but lets get you out of here." She said taking off her jacket and wrapping it around him. It might be soaked but it was better then nothing. Lifting him up she began to run through the forest towards Konoha.

Upon reaching Konoha she quickly went through the gates without no problems before she took off towards the hospital via the rooftops. Glancing down at him she took note that he had no visible injuries on him. The Kyuubi must have already healed him. 'The doctors will probably just turn him away because he is not injured.' Yugao noted.

Damn them idiots! Naruto couldn't escape prejudice even in a place that was supposed to treat the sick and wounded. And wasn't he supposed to have an ANBU guarding him from these kinds of incidents! He was blind for crying out loud! She was definitely going to have a talk with the Hokage about this. Making a quick decision she switched directions.

"W-where we going?" Naruto asked feeling her switch directions.

"I'm taking you to my home. You'll be safe there." She whispered to him pulling him closer to her. Naruto nodded against her. "Naruto what happened to the person who was supposed to be watching you?" Yugao asked trying to keep him preoccupied.

"H-he attacked me along with several other people before dumping me in the woods." Naruto was shivering more violently then before and Yugao could hear him sniffling.

"Sh. It's ok you won't have to worry about that anymore I promise." Yugao comforted him already coming up with a plan. She soon after landed on her porch. Quickly unlocking and practically kicking down the door she moved inside now glad she left the heat on. Kicking the door closed behind her she moved deeper into her home.

The first place she went to was her bathroom where she grabbed all the towels she had. Taking off Naruto's soaking cloths she went about drying him. After he was dry she carried him into her room where she slipped one of her over sized shirts over his head before laying him in bed. She quickly slipped into some dry cloths herself before moving to the closet and grabbed all the blankets she had. She quickly covered Naruto up with all of them before slipping under the covers also.

Pulling him closer to her she did her best to make sure he was comfortable. "How you feeling?"

"Cold."

"You'll warm up here soon. Try and get some sleep ok?" Yugao pulled him closer to her using her body heat to help warm him. Naruto nodded before he slowly began to lose consciousness.

Soon after his breathing evened out and he finally got some rest. As he slept Yugao laid there thinking about what her next move should be. She would definitely have to talk to the Hokage tomorrow at some point. She soon after decided to wait for tomorrow before she began to think about those things, and let the soft pitter-patter of the rain on the roof lull her to sleep.

-Naruto-

Drip…

Drip…

Drip…

Naruto groggily sat up only to find that his feet were wet. Feeling around his hand soon found the damp wall of…wherever the hell he was. Did Yugao leave him here? Was it all a lie? Tears threatened to fall but he shook his head violently. 'No! She wouldn't do that! So if I'm here maybe she's here too!'

So he began to follow the wall in a random direction constantly making sure his hand never left it. Not long after he began to trek down the tunnel, he deducted from the stone walls, his foot caught something and he tripped and fell into the water. After struggling for a minute he regained his footing and stood. But he couldn't remember which way the wall was. Holding his hand out in front of him he began to take baby steps in that direction hoping to meet the wall soon. After what felt like an eternity his foot caught what felt like a steel pole and he once again fell forward.

But something soft and fury wrapped around his torso and caught him. Whatever it was it pushed him back up and placed his back against the pole. "Hello? Someone there?" Naruto asked slowly sliding down the pole. Then what sounded like footsteps began to make their way towards him through the water. They continued on until they were right in front of me. A rustle of fabric indicated that whoever it was had knelt down. A soft hand pressed against my cheek and a distinctly feminine and angelic voice said. "It's ok there is no need to be scared."

-Kyuubi-

I watched him enter the room from the only tunnel leading in or out. He caught his foot on the uneven floor and fell. Soon after he stood up again and began to walk towards me with his hand stuck out in front of him. I watched silently as he neared the bars that held me here. He was very thin and his hair was matted and unkempt I observed as he slowly made his was through the chamber. He was short even for a human his age. Most likely from malnutrition. If it weren't for my chakra he would have frozen to death in that storm. Luckily that woman helped him. I believe her name was Yugao.

He made his way through the bars until one of his feet caught one of them. Reacting quickly I caught him with one of my tails before gently setting him back against the bar he tripped on. "Hello? Someone there?" He asked obviously scared as he slid down to poll.

I slowly began to walk towards him careful to make sure my footsteps were audible. I walked until I was directly in front of him. Kneeling down so that we eye to eye I gently touched his cheek in a soothing manner. "It's ok there is no need to be scared." I said gently trying to relieve his fears.

"Who are you?" He asked still clearly not trusting me.

"That will take some explaining to do." I said with a sigh.

"Where's Yugao?" He asked determinedly. I had to applaud his bravery especially when a friend was in danger.

"She's safe." I replied. "Now listen I know this will sound strange but we are in you mind."

"My mind?" Naruto asked curiously.

"Yes."

"But how did I get here?" He asked his curiosity getting the better of him.

"I brought you here." I answered truthfully.

"Who are you?"

"We'll get there." I answered. "Now listen this might seem odd but I want to ask something." He simply nodded. "What do you know about the Kyuubi?"

"The Kyuubi?" His face scrunched up in confusion. "Only that it attacked on my birthday and that the Fourth Hokage killed it at the cost of his life."

"Yes and No." I replied. "Yes the Kyuubi attacked on your birthday and the Fourth did defeat it at the cost of his life. But he couldn't kill it. He could only seal it in a newborn child-"

"Me?" Naruto cut me off obviously catching on.

"Yes. He sealed it into you." I answered mildly surprised.

"That's why people hate me?"

"Yes."

"And that means your…" He began before it dawned on him.

"Yes I am the Kyuubi." I answered.

"You don't seem as evil as they make you out to be." He said tilting his head to the side cutely.

I have to admit I was shocked but I shook it off. "Well that can be explained." I said as I pulled him into my lap. It was going to be a long story. (Sorry about skipping this part I just wanted to post this quickly, and I admit I was to lazy to type it seeing as I've heard and more likely you've heard it a dozen times also. Just stick with the Madara possessed her with his Sharingan version.)

"Wow. That's some story." He said a couple hours later after I got through with my story.

"I guess it is isn't it." I said with a smile.

"So is that why I'm blind?" He asked.

I smiled sadly before hugging him a little tighter. "Yes. I'm so sorry but all of my youkai was too much for your body and it ended up burning your retina and nerves in your eyes. But I have been slowly repairing them over these passed 6 years"

"Repairing? As in fixing them?" He was obviously confused.

"Yes! And with us meeting finally it will only strengthen our mental connection. So I will be able to fix them even faster!"

"Mental Connection?" Apparently my explanations were only bringing up more questions.

"We've always had a mental connection and since we've meted and you now know of me it will only strengthen it. Before I could only project images in your sleep and help comfort you when you were scared or in pain. But now we will be able to talk to each other through the seal. Just think it and I'll hear it and I can give you my help and advice."

"Oh…so how close are you to fixing my eyes?" He asked the question that he's been dying to ask.

"I don't know. Now that I will be able to work faster will see. But it's going to come in two stages. First it will act as a bloodline of sorts. By channeling chakra to your eyes you will be able to see for a short period of time. But hopefully one day after that I will be able to fix them permanently!"

He was quiet for a while seemingly processing this new information. "Thank you." He whispered after a couple minutes.

"There's no need to thank me. Its because of me that your in this mess to begin with."

"But that wasn't your fault!"

"Maybe but I still feel responsible. Now back to the subject of your eyes. I'm going to be teaching you two different methods of 'seeing' without your eyes because it could take me a year or so before I can get your eyes ready for the first stage. And when you are feeling better you should ask Yugao to help train your sense's so that you can get around on your own. I'll help you out with that too by enhancing your sense's even farther than they are now. After you have got that down I will teach you what I have in mind for helping you in combat so don't worry about that till later."

"Ok." He said with a nod before he thought of something. "Hey can I tell Grandpa and Yugao about you?"

I thought about this for a minute before answering. "Not now. Maybe later but right now I don't think it would be a good idea. They are worried about you and I have a feeling something's about to change in your life." I answered truthfully hoping that my intuition was correct.

"What?" He asked obviously curious.

"You'll see." I answered teasingly. He humped before he suddenly yawned. "Well I'm going to let you go now. While time moves slower in here, seeing as it is your mind, your mind needs rest too so just relax and get some sleep." He nodded again before relaxing and soon after his mental avatar disappeared. I smile glad that I was on the right path to righting what was wrong in his life.

-Morning-

Yugao woke up around 6 in the morning. Odd. She'd slept in. Naruto still hadn't woken but his skin was a light shade of pink and was warmer. When she had gotten out of bed he had subconsciously tried to find her again but settle into were she once laid. She giggled before kissing him on the forehead and heading to the kitchen.

She made herself a small breakfast before getting changed into her civilian attire and heading out. She bought some more food out in the market before heading to the stores aimed more at clothing. She picked out some cloths that looked about Naruto's size, enough to last him awhile, before heading back to her house.

Naruto still hadn't woken up so she decided to make him something to eat before waking him up. Deciding on something sweet she made him some pancakes with a side of sausages. Carrying them into her room she set them on to bedside table before kneeling down and nudging him awake. "Naruto…Naruto. Morning sleepy head!"

"Wha…Yugao what's going on?" He asked groggily.

"Well I made you breakfast and wanted to seeing how you are feeling." Yugao couldn't help but smile.

"Better." He answered smiling like he could sense her's.

"Well let's get you up so that you can get something to eat." She said lifting him up and crawling in behind him so that he could lean against her. Naruto was silent as Yugao fed him. Once he was finished she took the plate and said that she would be back.

She came back not two minutes later with the cloths she bought for him. Laying them out beside him she handed him a shirt. "What is this?" He said running his hands over. She simply grinned as he continued to run his hand over it. "Is this a shirt?" He asked finally after a minute.

"Yes!" She answered grinning from ear to ear. "I bought you some more clothes here." She gently guided his hands over the different sacks that held them.

"Yugao…" He began his smile fading. "I can't pay for this."

"Naruto you don't have to! It's a gift silly!" She said pulling him into a hug.

He couldn't help but grin. "Thank you!" He hugger her as tightly as a could.

"It's nothing. Now Naruto we are going to go see the Hokage here in a minute so how bout you get dressed and I'll wait out side ok?" Her only response was a grin and a nod.

After she left the room Naruto began to get dressed. Remembering Kyuubi's words from the night before he decided to try something. 'Hey…can you hear me?' He thought.

'Yes I can hear you Naruto." Kyuubi responded startling him a little.

'That's going to take some getting used to.' Naruto thought.

'Yes it most likely will.' Kyuubi answered with a chuckle.

'So I can't tell anyone about you?" Naruto asked.

'Yes. I know you don't want to keep secrets from the Hokage and Yugao, but you must understand that it would only complicate things at this stage. Soon after everything settles down you will be able to but not yet.' Kyuubi answered truthfully.

'Ok.' Naruto answered sadly.

'It won't be for long. (yawn) Well I'm going to close the connection. I was up all night checking your eyes. I was right! I should have them ready for the first stage in about a year or so!' Kyuubi answered trying to cheer him up.

'Really!' Naruto said excitedly.

'Yes! Now I'm going to get some sleep so goodnight.' Kyuubi said with another yawn.

'Ok. Goodnight!' Naruto answered. He finished dressing before calling for Yugao. She spent a couple minutes guiding him around the house so he could map it out in his mind before they got ready to leave.

Opting to take the quick, and glare free way, Yugao scooped Naruto up and roof hoped to the Hokage tower. The sky had cleared up and it was warm but humid. A relief from the day before.

They soon made it to the tower and made it through with no trouble. When they approached the door the receptionist smiled at them before she beeped them in.

"Hey Grandpa!" Naruto shouted as they entered.

"Hello Naruto I hope you've been good! Wait. Where's your escort?" Sarutobi asked as they entered.

"You see Lord Hokage that's why we're here." Yugao said setting her and Naruto down in the chairs in front of the desk.

"Please proceed Yugao." He said seriously, or as Naruto jokingly called it 'Hokage' mode, as he steepled his fingers in front of him. So Yugao with Naruto's help told Sarutobi what happened yesterday.

When they finished Sarutobi's face was stoic but Yugao could see a rage burning in his eyes and she almost felt pity for the poor fool on the receiving in of that rage…'almost'. "Inu." He said and out of the wall appeared an ANBU with gravity defying white hair reading a little orange book.

"Hey Inu!" Naruto said happily.

"Hey Naruto…Yugao." He said lazily.

"Hello sempai." Yugao greeted him.

"You summoned me Lord Hokage." Inu said snapping to attention.

"Yes. Inu I want you to bring 'Tiger' to Ibiki. Tell him no restraints but make sure he gets the names of the others involved in this attack." Sarutobi said with authority.

"Right away Lord Hokage." He said before disappearing in a swirl of leaves.

"Ok now that that's out of the way is there anything else we need to speak about." Sarutobi asked turning back to the two in front of him.

"Yes Lord Hokage there is." Yugao began before turning to Naruto. "Naruto could you wait outside for a minute?"

Naruto nodded before the Hokage called his secretary who came in and guided Naruto out. "Ok Yugao what is it you need to speak about."

"Lord Hokage. Let me ask you how many times this has happened. How many times I've or someone else has had to save him from a group of civilians! What I ask of you is simply the ability to help him! Please sir let me adopt him! I can protect him!" She said.

"Yugao you know I can't do that. If it was within my power I would let you but it is not. Seeing that he is not a shinobi yet he is not within my jurisdiction in that area. That is the civilian councils job, and I can't overturn that decision when they vote unanimously as they have when I or Jiraiya have tried to adopt him before.

Now I am not questioning your kindness to him. Such as that stunt you pulled last month. Yes I know about that. And I must say I applaud you for it! You've been kinder to him then many have ever been and I can tell he's grown attached to you. But it is out of my hands." Sarutobi said sadly.

"I see. Forgive me for speaking out of line." Yugao said gloomily sinking back into her chair.

"But…" Sarutobi said the gears in his head turning faster than ever before he leaned forward in his chair. "Yugao let me ask you. How far are you willing to go to protect him?"

"I don't care! I'd give my life to protect him." She was leaning forward also.

"Would you be willing to give up your career in ANBU?" He asked again.

"In a heartbeat." She answered without pause.

"Good cause that is exactly what this is going to cost." He said as he began to write in a scroll.

"What?" She asked.

"Yugao Uzuki as of now you have officially dropped out of ANBU and have returned to your Jounin status." Sarutobi said continuing to scribble furiously on the scroll.

"Sir. If I may ask what will that change?" Yugao asked still lost.

"Yugao. While I can't let you adopt Naruto I can give you a long-term mission to protect and guard him. A mission with no clear boundaries including a ending date now can I?" Sarutobi said looking up at her with a devious grin.

Yugao looked confused before it dawned on her. "Oh!" She said. "Really! You mean it!" She was ecstatic.

"You said you'd be willing to give up your ANBU career for him. While I can't offer these missions to ANBU, Konoha's frontline defenders, I can offer them to Jounin's. Now I am going to offer you payment for this mission. A payment you can't refuse. To help pay for all his necessities, including his obsession with ramen, on top of your normal mission payments. You will be excused from missions for a few months to help him get settled in." He said as he put the finishing touches on the scroll. "I trust your home has a spare bedroom?"

"Yes." Yugao said not being able to keep the ear-to-ear grin off her face.

"Good." He said holding the scroll out for her. But as she went to grab it he held it back. "Now understand. It has always been Naruto's dream to become a shinobi. I want you to train him also. I know it will be harder seeing as he is blind, but I can feel it in my bones that that boy is destined for greatness. But all we can do is give him the tolls to help him accomplish his goals."

"Lord Hokage-" Yugao began.

"Please call me Sarutobi. To tell you the truth 'Lord Hokage' has always made me feel old. Well 'older'." He said with another smile.

"S-Sarutobi. I would never stand between him and his dreams. I will offer all my expertise in training him no matter what obstacles stand in my way."

"Good." Sarutobi said handing her the scroll finally before beeping his secretary. After she dropped Naruto off with a smile she left back to her desk closing the door with a snap. A wink to Yugao told her she could tell Naruto the news.

"Naruto." Yugao caught his attention not being able to keep the excitement out of his voice.

"Yes Yugao?" Naruto asked confused by the excitement.

"Guess what." She said dragging it on.

"What?" He said now smiling also.

"You are going to be staying with me!" She had finally said it. It took a few seconds before he caught on but when he did one of the brightest smiles she ever saw swept across his face.

"Really! You mean like…permanently?" He asked.

She scooped him up into a hug. "Yes."

As this was going on Sarutobi was smiling in the background. 'Finally…something is going right for your son…Minato...Kushina."

-End-

Weellll. I hope you like it! Please Read and Review it will help motivate me to type faster it appears! I am willing to accept suggestions and/or constructive criticism! And as for pairing this is going to be strictly a Naruto/Kyuubi story that will start next chapter. Yugao will be more of an older sister figure. And sorry if some of it seems off but I'm new to stuff like this. There will most likely be a time skip in next chapter with a 'brief' summary of the last several years and Naruto's training. It will most likely kick off during the genin exams.