He Sees Darkness But smiles Like The Light

By:The Un~Wanted Angel And Carrie2sky

So please enjoy the story, turn off all devices and sadly to say, we don't own Naruto.

CHAPTER 3

For the following three weeks, Minato had heardendless squeals of excitement coming from Naruto. The child was so excided to finally be able to go to The Academy and learn Jutsus and everything else there was to be a ninja. Naruto was too busy being excited and overjoyed he never noticed the depressed vibe coming from his father. Even though Minato was both happy and excited for Naruto and he himself couldn't be more than happy to hear his son happy, but he was very anxious. A number of things could happen to Naruto. But his ex-teacher's words would always come into play and he reassured himself that Naruto would be fine.

Then came the day before the Academy. Minato had just arrived home from work when he called out for Naruto.

"Naru-chan, where are you?" He called, in a playful tone.

No answer, no sound.

"Naruto?" He called. Where was his little boy? Minato went into his office and flicked on the TV, staring at the screen, until he noticed in Naruto's room a curled up sad little boy.

Frowning in confusion, Minato walked swiftly out of the room to Naruto's room, knocking on the door first instead of barging in like he would want to.

"Naru-chan? It's Papa...are you in there?" He asked.

"Go away," Naruto replied sadly. "Please."

"Naruto, what's the matter?" The worried father asked, as he tried to open the door, but it was a tad bit difficult because of the chair in front of the door that Naruto put there. However, being who Minato was, he was able to get past the 'barrier' Naruto had put there. His emotions had been triggered by this action and he went into full overprotective mode. "Naruto! How many times have I told you to not block the door?!" Minato didn't like the idea of Naruto blocking the door; it was just something that bothered him.

"Don't care," Naruto mumbled. "Go away!"

"Naruto...what's the matter?" Minato asked, walking to his son and crouching next to him. A soft hand was placed on Naruto's back rubbing soothing circles, slowly. Naruto sniffed and Minato noticed his bandages (formally in the eye placements) were wet. Had Naruto been crying? Minato felt awful, had something happened to Naruto when he left? No, nothing happened, he was sure of it. Naruto was to stay home (not alone of course an ANBU officer, well three of them, were stationed to watch him) while Minato went out shopping for supplies Naruto would need for tomorrow.

"Please tell me what's wrong, Naruto," Minato almost begged.

"I...I don't want to go anymore," Naruto whimpered.

"Go where? The Academy?" Minato asked. Naruto nodded, another set of tears forming, soaking his bandages.

"Well, why not?" Minato asked. "For weeks you've been jumping for joy about going, now suddenly you don't want to. Why Pumpkin?"

"I...I don't want...to be laughed at," Naruto answered."Like at the hospital."

Minato remembered now. It seemed Naruto hadn't forgotten what happened a few weeks ago at the hospital when the boy called Naruto's eyes "weird" and "scary". Minato understood now, Naruto must have anxiety because of tomorrow. Minato pulled Naruto into his lap, and Naruto willingly took the offer and cuddled next to his father.

"Naruto...now listen to me. I can't change what children might say about your eyes...but remember what I said?" Minato asked. Naruto looked up, bandages still wet, and he shook his head.

"You said a lot the past weeks, Tou-san."

Minato had to laugh at that. "Well, yes, but remember what I said about what you're to do if anyone teases you?" He asked. Naruto thought for a moment, he knew but he didn't. He shrugged. Minato spoke. "That if anyone, whether it be a teacher or a student, says anything about your eyes, you are to tell me. I want to know everything they say. Good or bad."

Naruto nodded.

"And Naruto...if anyone makes fun of you, don't listen to them." Minato snuggled into Naruto a bit more, then moving his hands down he tickled his baby, making Naruto laugh. Minato was happy he could make his child smile again. But then he remembered he would have to change his bandages.

"Naruto, I'll have to change your bandages. You can't have themwet."

Naruto nodded, holding onto Minato's hand as Minato led Naruto to the bathroom where he kept Naruto's bandages. Naruto then thought of something else.

"Papa?" He asked.

"Yes, Angel?" Minato said.

"Do I...have to wear my bandages at school?" Naruto asked. Naruto knew he would get teased about his eyes, but he was sure he'd get a ton of stares and questions if he wore the bandages to school. Minato sighed and told Naruto 'yes', much to Naruto's displeasure. Naruto crossed his arms and pouted, although it was a cute sight, Minato knew what Naruto really meant.

"I'm sorry, Naruto. It's Doctor's orders."

"Can't I just lie to them?" Naruto asked.

"They'll find out the truth and what will that make you look like?" Minato asked. "And one more thing Naruto." Naruto gave a questioning look. "Don't...ever...lie." Minato warned.

Naruto gulped he knew that tone of voice. It was the same voice Minato used when Naruto was in trouble or was about to receive a spanking. Naruto nodded, knowing his father was serious. Minato smiled, knowing he had gottenNaruto to realize that lying was wrong.

"But, Naruto?" Minato spoke.

"Yes?" Naruto asked.

"You do know the punishment if you do lie," Minato warned again.

"Yes, Papa. I do," Naruto stuttered.

"Well, of course you do and I don't need to remind you, because you're a good boy." He smiled, running his fingers throughhis son's hair. "Now, its dinner time. What are we going to eat, Naruto?"

"RAMEN!" Naruto shouted.

"No," Minato answered wearily. If he let Naruto have his way, his son would eat nothing but ramen every meal of the day, seven days a week!

"AAAw...Papa, please?" Naruto begged.

"Maybe tomorrow," Minato told him.

Minato had trouble sleeping that night. When he tucked Naruto into bed, he stayed a few extra minutes to watch his small child dream of the next day. He was only twenty-seven and he already felt like an old man. His son was growing up. Minato then thought to himself, what if the children at the school, really did make fun of Naruto? A strong protective instinct took over the man's heart. If he could be with Naruto to ensure no one would hurt his precious son's feelings, he would in a heartbeat.

"I'm being ridiculous" Minato told himself. "I can't go with Naruto to school everyday."

He left his son's room and went downstairs to his office to do some work. A couple hours had past when he heard a knock came from the front door. Minato got up to answer it.

"Iruka?" He asked. He came face to face with a smiling brunette.

"Hello Hokage-sama," Iruka smiled. "I came over here to deliver the paperwork, Kakashi couldn't. He looked really tired so I told him I'd do it."

"Oh, thank you," Minato answered. "I'll get to work right on it."

Iruka was puzzled. "It's half past midnight, I'm surprised I didn't wake you up. Can't sleep?" He asked.

"I know, I'm a bit nervous. Naruto is starting the Academy in a few hours," Minato admitted. Iruka was surprised, in all his years of knowing the taller blond, he knew how protective of Naruto he was. When Naruto was a baby, you had to prove you were even worthy of even looking at the babe (of course Tsunade put an end to that when Jiraiya wanted to prove that she was really Tsunade by doing something...a bit perverted). Now he was actually letting Naruto join the Academy to be a ninja?!

"What?" Minato asked, looking at Iruka's confused (and almost disturbed face).

"You're really letting him into the Academy? Wow!" Iruka smiled. "Hey, I'm teaching there now, wouldn't it be funny if I wound up teaching Naruto?" And with that Iruka added a laugh. Suddenly a light bulb lit right above Minato's head.

"Yeah," Minato smiled, evilly looking at Iruka.

Iruka looked scared. "W-what are you gonna' do?" He asked stepping back as the evil looking Minato walked slowly to him.

"Papa! Time to get up! It's school time!" Naruto gushed. Minato woke up with a jolt, staring at his son in both shock and a tad bit disturbance.

"What, Papa?" Naruto asked, innocently, as if he had done nothing wrong.

"How...did you get in my room?" Minato asked. Naruto smiled and then giggled.

"I walked, silly. I felt the walls of the house then I heard your loud snoring." Naruto laughed at that last part making Minato frown, but of course, Minato wasn't really mad he was actually happy; he was just pretending to be mad.

"Oh, I snore? Well, you're gonna' have to be punished for that." And with his large hands he started to tickle Naruto softly. Naruto squirmed and laughed begging and screaming to be released from The Tickle Monster's hold. Minato stopped tickling Naruto and lightly planted a kiss on his forehead.

"Are you excited?" Minato asked.

"Yes!" Naruto answered.

"Okay, well before we do anything...We're going back to bed." Minato told him.

"What? Why? Isn't it school time?" Naruto asked, with anxiousness in his voice. "I don't want to be late."

"Naruto...first off. It's three in the morning." Minato groaned tiredly.

"Oh...well can I sleep here? Please Tou-san?" Naruto asked. Minato could he say no to a face like that?

Naruto gulped holding his Tou-san's hand. They were finally here at the Academy and Minato told Naruto to wait while he talked someone important. Naruto was getting a bit bored. He felt a bit scared too. The fresh bandages Minato had put on this morning were tightly wrapped around his head, still leaving some chunks of hair sticking out.

"Anaki...that boy has weird things around his head." Naruto could hear one boy say.

"Be quiet, Sasuke!" Naruto heard another boy hiss. "That's the Hokage and probably his son-do you want something bad to happen to you if you make fun of him?!"

"No, Nii-san."

Naruto felt awful that boy who just made fun of him will "get hurt" because of making fun of him. He guessed that was the price to pay for being the son of the Hokage. Naruto was confused and upset but deep down he couldn't ever admitit, but he felt a bit safe knowing that being the Hokage's son offered him a certain amount of doubt his father would intervene if someone did anything remotely mean to him. But after thinking that, Naruto felt guilty.

"Okay Angel, are you ready?" Minato asked Naruto.

"Wha'? Oh yeah..." Naruto replied softly. Minato didn't like the sound of Naruto's voice. It sounded sad and scared. Minato guessed it was something else entirely unrelated to the Academy. Minato held on to Naruto's hand as he led him to room- C-2- then he planted a smile similar to the one he had last night.

"Hello...Iruka."

Iruke yelped and dropped the chalk he had.

"Hokage-sama...Hello. And hello to you too, Naruto-sama," Iruka greeted.

Naruto gave a small 'hello' then tried to hide behind his father, he knew Iruka, but he was still a bit nervous about being in a new place. He wanted to correct the man for the 'sama'. He didn't like the formalities, but he was too shy to do so.

Iruka looked at Minato then whispered: "How is this going to work?" heasked.

"Oh, don't worry. Naruto is a fast learner," Minato told him. "And he and I have been working on writing, but I must warn you it's very sloppy, but he can write."

Iruka nodded. "I understand that, I'm just asking how will he perform justus if he can't see what to do?"

Just then the loud bell rang and Minato smirked. "If you see any teachers or students put down my child...tell me." He whispered. "Okay, Naruto, it's time for me to go, sadly."

"Wait...you're not staying, Tou-san?" Naruto asked, his heart broken. He thought Minato would stay with him the whole day like he usually did. He thought his Papa would be right by his side. Minato sighed sadly and explained that he had to be at work and while he was working, Naruto was to stay in the school and not-never, Naruto must never, leave the property.

"But...b-but Papa…" Naruto felt tears come to his eyes. He didn't want to go anymore if it meant he'd be separated from his Papa.

"Naruto, it's just for a few hours and then I'll be back to pick you up, I promise." And with that Minato leaned down and gave Naruto a big hug and a small kiss on his head before leaving the room. He fought hard to keep himself from running back into the room and leaving with Naruto. He knew Naruto HAD to be in theAcademy, there was no doubt about it anymore. Minato sighed, he hoped and prayed nothing bad would happen to his baby.

Naruto's morning had gone fairly smooth. Iruka gave his a seat next to a boy his age.

"Sasuke, this is Naruto-sama. He's going to be your partner for the seating arrangement from now on. Alright?" Iruka said, guiding Naruto to the empty table next to the small child.

"Yes, sir," The small raven nodded. He was at first a bit scared he was being seated next to the boy he made fun of earlier, but he had hoped the "blind boy" wouldn't notice. It seemed Naruto didn't. Sasuke smiled at Naruto.

"Hi, I'm Sasuke," he offered.

"Hello..." Naruto mumbled, he was a bit nervous around Sasuke, as he didn't have any friends except his Godfather, his Papa, Tsunade his doctor, and Kakashi. Those were the only people that revolved around in his small world. They were the only people he knew. He also wanted Sasuke to like him. It would be nice to have a friend his own age.

"May I ask why you have bandages wrapped around your head?" Sasuke asked.

"Well..." Naruto began. "I can't see. It's how I was born."

"Oh...I'm sorry." Sasuke answered.

"But my Tou-san said I'll be able to use 'Chaka,'" Naruto told him.

"I think you mean, Chakra," Sasuke corrected.

"Yeah that," Naruto said.

Iruka began passing out papers that they were to write on, when he came to Naruto, he gulped and laid down his paper.

"Naruto, try your best." Iruka told him. Naruto nodded. He liked Iruka as a teacher. Iruka never judged him, nor did he tell Naruto to stop doing what he was doing. Naruto liked writing, although Iruka had a tough time trying to read what Naruto wrote. Sasuke, fortunately was there to help him. Sasuke also didn't mind reading to Naruto when they had to work in their workbooks or read their assigned books.

Sasuke and Naruto became really fast friends. Naruto loved Sasuke's company, he felt equal and as if his blindness didn't matter in their relationship.

Close to the end of the day, their class was able to go outside and play. Sasuke guided Naruto safely out of the building.

"Come with me, Naruto-sama. I have some friends I'd like you to meet," Sasuke told him.

He has other...friends? Naruto asked himself. Sasuke could probably guess the look of Naruto's face that he was either uneasy about this or he was upset knowing he had other friends. Sasuke giggled.

"Don't worry, I'm showing you my friends, so they can be your friends too," he reassured the blond.

"Oh! In that case show me your friends, Sasu-kun."

"Sasu-kun?"Sasuke asked. "What's that?"

"Your nickname. You can call me -sama is too formal for me," Naruto told him. Sasuke smiled feeling honored actually that Naruto gave him permission.

"Okay, Naru-kun."

Minato sighed staring at the clock: It was only two-thirty. Naruto wouldn't be out of school until four. He felt so lonely; granted he was happy to be back at work where he could accomplish a ton of much needed work, but he felt hollow inside. He missed his baby. He missed him so much.

Then an idea came into his head.

Since he is the Hokage...

A smile came across his face and he canceled a few meetings so he would have the time to leave early and pick up Naruto at three-thirty, half an hour earlier than he was supposed to. He figured this would be a nice thing for Naruto and maybe they'd get ramen after that. Minato later tonight would be glad he did this, he couldn't imagine what would have happened if he didn't.

"This is, Neji...Shikamaru...Kiba... Rock Lee-but we just call him Lee...Ino...and Sakura." Sasuke was done listingthe names of his friends to Naruto.

"Everyone, this is Naruto...he can't see, but that makes him no different. And he doesn't have any friends. So I figured he could be with us," Sasuke told the group.

"Fine by me," Shikamaru answered lazily."We were about to play ball, want to play, Naruto?"

"Yeah, we're short one player," Kiba grinned. Naruto smiled big, they wanted to play with him! He was so happy he had friends now. Naruto smiled and giggled along with everyone else as they all threw the ball in the air, of course Naruto never caught the ball, but he had tried. Sasuke, Neji and Lee had tried to teach him how to throw properly. In the end Naruto wound up flopping it around, but no one minded.

"Wow...All that running...gave me an appetite," Shikamaru somewhat whined.

"You just ate," Neji pointed out. It was true; their class did just have lunch.

"But I'm hungry again...I know! There's a new candy store just down the street where I live! We can go there and get something sweet to eat." Shikamaru was so confident in his plan. Neji, Sasuke, Lee and Kiba weren't. Sasuke looked behind him; Naruto was still playing ball with the girls, Ino and Sakura.

"I don't know if that's a good idea," Sasuke said. "We're not allowed to leave, remember?"

"Maybe next time," Shikamaru said.

"Maybe," Sasuke answered, the unsure feeling still was in his stomach, but he brushed it off and ran back to Naruto and the other girls to play ball. Then he realized something: What if Naruto...wanted to go? All he wanted was to make his friend happy. He sighed and walked slowly up to Naruto.

"Naruto?" He asked.

Naruto looked around, clueless. "Yes?" He asked. "Sasuke, is that you?" Naruto began reaching out his arms and hands to feel if anyone was there. Sasuke reached out and clasped his hands with Naruto's. Then he lightly smiled.

"Yes, Naru-kun, it's me...Hey if you don't want to, that's fine, but...do you want to come with Neji, Shikamaru, Kiba, Lee, and myself to the candy store?" Sasuke asked. "It's okay if you don't want to."

Naruto smiled. He loved candy.

"Okay! I want to go!" He giggled. "But...I don't have any money."

"Shikamaru said he had enough. So, do you want to?" Sasuke asked again. Naruto nodded.

"Sorry, I have to go," he told Ino and Sakura.

Sakura looked betrayed. "But you're playing with us!" She cried.

"I'll play another time, right now I'm going with Sasuke to get candy at the store," Naruto explained, but Sakura was running away from Naruto, broken hearted that her new friend didn't want to play with her. Holding Sasuke's hand and nodding he followed Sasuke. Sasuke approached Kiba, Neji, Shika and Lee.

"Okay, we're going," Sasuke nodded.

"Alright! Candy store!" Lee smiled.

"Man, I'm going to eat a whole lot!" Kiba smiled.

"I still think this is a bad idea," Neji spoke as the children started hopping the fence and running through the wooded area. The children (including Naruto) never felt such a thrill, they could get caught at any given moment, but they still continued to move closer and closer to the candy store.

"Aw man, I can almost taste that pepermint-chocolatey-goodnesss!" Kiba nearly howled.

"I don't have much, but I should be able to buy some sugar-cane sticks. Or maybe some fudge bars for all of us," Shikamaru smiled.

"Thank you, Shikamaru." All the boys smiled.

If they knew how much trouble they'd all be in, they would turn back for sure.

Minato opened the door and was a tad bit upset that the classroom was empty-well minus one teacher writing on the large black board.

"Oh! Hoakge-sama-what are you doing here?" Iruka smiled.

"Well, I decided I couldn't part with Naruto anymore, I miss him. Has he missed me, Iruka?" Minato asked. He could just see Naruto asking almost every two seconds if his Papa was coming to bring him home or not. Iruka smiled and shook his head.

"I'm afraid not, but I think he enjoyed school. Though it was a bit hard to read his writing. Like you warned."

"That's why I wanted you as his teacher." Minato smiled sadly. "I knew you wouldn't discriminate him for his disability." The last thing Minato needed was an upset Naruto crying because the teacher didn't approve of him.

"Never. I would never have something like that happen to Naruto. I promise, Hokage-sama," Iruka reassured him. Minato smiled back and looked around the empty classroom.

"So, where is your class? Out having fun?" He smiled and looked out the window spotting children playing outside.

"Yes, it's recess. Of course, the older children must be in the village. You know our policy, from six to ten they're not allowed off campus," Iruka told him. "I assume that you want to pick up Naruto early?"

"Yes, I would like to, if he won't miss anything important," Minato answered.

"Not at all. We were just going to review." Minato smiled and nodded his head. "Well, he should be outside with the others, let me help you find him. Oh, and I think he's made a friend," Iruka replied as the two walked down the hallway.

"Oh? Who?" Minato asked, curiously. If Naruto had a friend he wanted to know who it was.

"Sasuke Uchiha. He reminds me of you...He's very protective of Naruto. He liked to read to Naruto when we had reading time. And he doesn't mind holding his hand to guide him places. If you ask me, I think he'll be rather sad when that stops when we teach the children to control their chakra."

Iruka and Minato laughed at that. Iruka opened the doors that led outside where children from ages of six to nine years old were running around, playing, or standing around talking to their friends or even mopingwith the knowledge that they couldn't leave (mostly the nine-year-olds did that).

Minato scanned the playground for his son, but frowned when he didn't sensehim.

"So, where's my son?" He asked.

"I don't know...Maybe he's in the field," Iruka suggested, a bit uneasy by the frightened look Minato gave off.

Naruto wasn't there either. Iruka noticed Sasuke wasn't either. Were they in the bathroom? He thought. Minato got a bit panickywhen Iruka and he checked the bathrooms to find no one was in there. Iruka jogged up to Minato who was looking everywhere.

"Now, calm down...there's no need to-"

"To what, Iruka?! Where's my son?!" Minato yelled.

"Well, we-"

"Sensei!" A call came. Iruka turned and saw a little pink-haired girl running to him with tears in her eyes. Iruka crouched down and asked her what was wrong.

"I...I wanted to play with Naruto more. But he said he didn't want to," she bawled.

Ino crossed her arms and had a mean look on her face. "He's so rude!"

Minato looked at the little blonde haired girl. "Do you know where Naruto went?" He asked, panicking.

"He said he was going with Sasuke, Kiba, Shikamaru, Lee and Neji to the new candy store! He didn't even invite us!" She pouted.

"What?!" Minato yelled.

Thank you to my Beta and co-writer Carrie2sky for anything that I either misspelled or goofed up on. And a big round of cookies being passed out to my reviewers, anyone who put this story on alert or added to their favorites. Thank you all so much.

Until next time this has been Angel and Carrie.