He Sees Darkness, But Smiles Like The Light

By The Un-wanted Angel

Alright everyone, sorry for the lack of updates on this story or any of my other stories, I've been pretty busy with my new job and everything, it's pretty fun, and I don't mind the work too much. But now that I've got some free time and I'm not too tired from school or work then I'm back to updating! :3 But, I'm sorry for my absence and I have no idea what's up with Morgan, she hasn't responded to my messages since the beginging of March so . . .I don't know if that's a hint that she doesn't want to be my beta or if she has no access to internet or whatever the reason, but currently, I'm looking for a new beta for this story.

Message me for more details, but know that if you want to be my beta I need to know four things:

1.) Have you read any of my stories and truly enjoy them and want to make them better.

2.) Are you a regular reader on this or other stories?

3.) Are you willing to be patient and accept that I DO have Dyslexia and can get messed up on words and sentence placements and grammar?

and finally. . .

4.) Are you committed to working with me?

So that's all for not, sorry for the long introduction, but for those who are interested in betaing, I am holding "try-outs" this weekend where you have from June 29th-31st to send me a message stating that you are interested I may extend this IF I haven't found someone. But the one who I have chosen, will get the "honor" (LOL) of having their name not only in the summary, but in each new chapter of the story I publish. Anyway, thanks for reading this, please enjoy the story.

:)

I do not own Naruto

CHAPTER 19

Sasuke had arrived a little later than usual that night, so he carefully slipped off his shoes, trying to not make as much noise as possible. When he saw his adoptive father in the kitchen writing furiously, he either thought he was in trouble, or someone else was.

"Maybe Naruto was? No, that's impossible, Minato-san is too cautious of Naruto." Sasuke thought.

Minato looked up. "Oh? Sasuke, you're home rather late." He spoke.

"Yeah, I'm sorry, I walked someone home. She didn't want to walk home alone." He smiled, taking a seat.

"Oooh?" Minato smirked. "Well, that was kind of you. Did you have fun? You didn't have anything happen to you on the way home, right?" Of course, since Sasuke wasn't really blood-related to himself or Naruto; still Minato found himself becoming closer with Sasuke after moving out of the "awkward-random-father-figure" stage. Sasuke liked the love Minato and Naruto gave off, it was. . .comforting.

"Yes, I did have fun. It wasn't a problem, I ran on the roofs home."

"Oh, well, I can't say the same for Naruto." Minato became very quiet and his knuckles turned white. The fresh tears that were on his child's face, and from a girl no less, made him very angry. Sasuke raised an eyebrow. What happened?

"Minato-kun? What's wrong?" Sasuke asked.

"Poor Naruto." Minato huffed. "Finally had the courage to ask out a girl he liked and he got stood up." Sasuke bit his lip, that was brutial and uncalled for! How dare someone do that to Naruto. Naruto was his friend, his brother! Minato sighed loudly, sounding annoyed while he continued to write the letter. Sasuke couldn't see who the letter was to.

"Who's that letter to, Minato-kun?"

"Sakura-chan's parents, I have half a mind not to allow her in the exams. . . but sadly, that's not allowed." He muttered that last part, but sasuke was confused.

"What does it say?" He asked.

Minato sighed, turning to the small teen and folded his arms. "Naruto was stood up tonight by Sakura, Sasuke." Sasuke felt his stomach squeeze and he felt sick. He hoped he hadn't heard what he just did. If Sakura left Naruto to hang out with him then, oh God no.

"Ugh, making my children cry, what the hell is wrong with girls?!" Minato snapped as he continued to write.

"M-Minato-kun Don't you think you're going to far by writing a letter?" Sasuke stuttered, feeling turned his head, shaking it.

"Absolutly not!" He spoke.

"I understand why you're mad, but I think this is more of Naruto's personal business."

"It involves Naruto, it involves me."

Sasuke felt even more nervous. Naruto would surly be pissed once he found out Minato was going over the top with this. Still, he had to focus on tomorrow. After all tomorrow was not going to be easy.

Naruto felt groggly when he woke up that morning. When he glanced in the mirror he remarked to himself on how he looked like crap. Still, today was important. The Chunnin Exams were to be taken, and soon. Still, Naruto washed his face and dressed in his usual blue and orange.

The first thing he noticed this morning was his father wasn't home, instead the one who replied to him in a gruff 'good morning' when he ran downstairs, was Jiraiya.

"Jiraiya-jiji?" Naruto asked.

"Mornin' kiddo."

"Where's Tou-san?" He asked.

"Um. . .somwhere, I dunno."

Naruto sighed and sat in a chair, little did he know Minato was sprinting to the post office to deliver his letter, he was in a hurry cause he accidentally slept in. When he just barley made it he began rushing home. He smirked to himself, Sakura was in for a deadly surprise. Just as he sprinted to the post office, he doubled-time to the house, after all today was Naruto's special day, there could be no time for even blinking around his son.

. . . . . . .

Sasuke huffed, he currently was in the private training grounds, trying to get a little extra training in that morning.

"Sasuke."

He turned. "Kakashi-sensei?"

Kakashi smiled. "I have what we need. Come."

Sasuke nodded, following his Sensei.

. . . . . . .

"Maybe we should add gel?" Minato asked. Jiraiya groaned, not looking up from the newspaper while Naruto groaned sitting in the kitchen-chair with a sheet across his chest and neck. Minato insisted Naruto have his hair trimmed for the upcoming ceremony today. Although Naruto wanted to continue praticing he knew there was no way with arguing with his father today.

"This is dumb, Tou-san."

"Naruto, quit moving, I don't want to cut off your little ear." Minato replied, taking a small hunk of hair and chopping it with his kunai.

"Well maybe you wouldn't have such a risk, if you didn't cut my hair!" Naruto lost it, he was irritated and didn't have much sleep last night, even though Minato could understand why his son would be cranky this morning, he didn't understand however, why he would ignore talking about last night.

"Naruto, are you al-"

"Don't even say it!" Naruto spoke casually-yet-bitter. "I don't care anymore, just cut my hair so I can leave."

Minato looked over at Jariya who pretended to read but they both caught each other's eye and said nothing. Minato nodded.

"Alright. If that's what you want."

Naruto's hair was slightly shorter and choppy-looking but it still held it's former shape. Minato smiled with his 'accomplishment' but Naruto hopped off the chair, leaving the room. Minato sighed, sitting at the table with his coffee.

"What's wrong with him?" Jiraiya asked.

Minato bit his lip, "Well, I think it's private-"

Jiraiya gave him a look and Minato sighed, he knew he was a blabbermouth when it came to his son. "Well, first off, it all happened yesterday when Naruto asked out this Sakura Haruno girl-"

"AND YOU ALLOWED THAT?!" Jiraiya was impressed, this was the same man who insisted Naruto still holds his hand at the supermarket! maybe Minato was opening up more. Minato rolled his eyes, "Anyway" he continued. "Naruto was really excited to go, but when he came home, he was nothing but tears Jiraiya, he was stood up last night."

Jiraiya bit his lip. "Oooh, ouch."

"Jiraiya. . ."Minato spoke. "This is why I am what I am, for this very reason. This world we live in is too much for Naruto, don't you see how hurt he can get?"

Jiraiya folded his arms. "Then . . .kill him."

Minato gasped. "WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!" He, kill his baby?! What was Jiraiya thinking?

"Well, I should ask you the same question, if this world was "too much" for Naruto, then as a loving father wouldn't you put him out of his misery right at birth?" Jiraiya narrowed his eyes and Minato re-thought what he just said. He felt disgusted, his head was in full protective-mode, his heart told him to listen to his brain but his brain was out of ideas and he just ended up with a sick stomach.

He sighed. "I. . .I just don't want him hurt."

Jiraiya smiled kindly. "Then trust him."

Minato raised his eyebrow.

"Show him that no matter what happens, that you'll always love him, but giving him more trust and when you feel uncomfortable, communicate."

Minato smiled softly nodding.

"I just wish he'd do the same from me though,"

"He's a teenager, good luck" Jiraiya laughed loudly.

"Hmmm . . .yes." Minato spoke, thinking. "I might have to have a talk with him after the exams."

Jiraiya was confused. " 'Bout what?"

"Well, he is a teenager." Minato slurred.

Jiraiya laughed lously after a few seconds of thinking. "Wait, wait, wait. I wanna' be there to see his face!" Minato laughed, shaking his head.

"No, I don't want to embarrass him more then he probably will be." Minato smiled sadly.

Jiraiya shrugged, "Meh, I am curious though." He added. "How did you handle the Sakura-problem with Naruto?"

"He still won't talk to me about it, but I won't force it."

"Oh,"

"But I did send a letter."

"Letter?"

"Yes, to Sakura's parents informing them of what their daughter did."

Jiraiya giggled.

"What's wrong?"

". . .Imagine how pissed Naruto's gonna' be when he finds out."

Minato thought for a moment then gasped. "I NEED THAT LETTER!" He screamed, bolting out the door once again.

Naruto laid on his bed, one of his arms crossed over his face covering his eyes and he let tears roll down his face.

How could she do this to him? Now he had to face her again that day!

He felt like he was going to vomit, he couldn't face her. . .not alone.

DUN, DUN DUHHHHHHHHHHHH!

How was it? I'm sorry for such the long up-date! But remember, I am still looking for a Beta since my old one is either M.I.A or called it Quits without telling me. Please, please, if anyone is interested instructions are at the top.