Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or related characters.
A/N: This was going to be a quick one shot, but maybe not anymore!
Quick summary: The divorce of Sakura and Naruto and their choices to move on or to try their love once again, especially when Sakura finds out so interesting news. Sak/Naru, Ino/Shi, Hin/Kiba
Our Love: When it Left
His love for her as a young boy than as a young man had given their relationship a shaky foundation to begin with. Maybe it was because he knew that Haruno Sakura, now Uzumaki Sakura now for three years, was trying her best to love him as much as he loved her. With a sigh, one born of heartache and frustration, Naruto sat upon the Hokage Monument, a frown marring his usually happy face. The last few years with Sakura had been…frustrating to say the least.
He let his head rest back, as he watched the stars shine above. His bright hair highlighted by the shining moon, his hand worried its way through the tangles. He had just returned to Konoha, back from a S-ranked mission. His rise from chunin to ANBU leader had been quick, as was his marriage proposal to a very shocked Sakura. They had gotten closer since the time Team 7 had broken up. Sasuke had returned years later, body marred and broken.
He knew that Sakura would be expecting him with that over-forced smile, and those tired eyes. The eyes of happiness from their childhood had morphed into something akin to sadness. And it made him sad, sad and angry at both of them. She was so beautiful to him, he knew she thought of herself as plain. But her face was so beautiful, so full of life. Her figure had started growing firmer, her hips and chest rounding out. And he did notice, especially at night after sex, when they would both be somewhat venerable.
"Why the fuck is this happening?" Crystal blue eyes glanced heavily at the rock, where his fist had just made a crater. Keeping his temper in check he made his way through the streets of the sleeping city and landed softly on the balcony of their apartment.
She truly didn't know where he was, usually, especially after missions, he would be so overjoyed to come home and reunite with her. Worrying her lip for the forth time that night, she watched the clock tick away the seconds. The hospital along with the countless missions she had been on for the last month had left her with little time to actually spend with her husband. Husband, that simple word still sounded so foreign to her lips when she spoke.
Sakura had been able to feel the tension in their already quaking relationship sharpen over the last few months. Could it have been the mention that Hyuga Hinata and Inuzuka Kiba were to be married? Or that her best friend Ino, and Shikamaru were expecting their first child? When both parties had mentioned this news she had seen the look come into Naruto's eyes, the look of wanting a family of his own.
Unlike the other two couples, she and Naruto had never really talked about the idea or possibility of children. Don't get her wrong, they had sex regularly. Not the sex that Ino talked of, with all the passion and the crazed biting and nibbling. Theirs was more demur, with penciled in scheduling on nights when both were home.
She couldn't take it anymore! Look at all the pain she was causing him, she was stopping him from having exactly what he wanted…a true family. She should have never accepted the marriage proposal, and it had surprised them both when she had. She knew he had become hysterical when his first ANBU team had not made it back, him being the only one to survive. That night at the bar he had sat there, his eyes downcast as he finished off his second bottle of sake.
"S-akura!" His voice was loud, like always, been held something almost saddening in it. "Do you know I'm allll alone?" He was pissed drunk and happy about it.
"Naruto…you're not alone, baka." He shook his head in argument and just sighed. She noticed over the years that time had done him well. He had finally grew into his large eyes, and lost the chubbiness in his cheeks. His chin had squared out, and his face took on the shadows of man hood. The life of a shinobi had toned his body, had left no fat to speak of, and she, as a woman, appreciated how good he looked.
"You-" he pointed dramatically at her, "are right!" His grace as a shinobi was forgotten as he started to slip off the stool. "So Sakur-a, want to marry me?" He was drunk, smelt like it, and sounded like it, but she heard the desperation in his voice, and her own matched it.
"Sure, Naruto, lets get married." He looked up puzzled, but the next day they went along with the plans, and a few months later she was Uzumaki Sakura.
The sliding door to the balcony opened softly and a tired and dirty Naruto stepped through, almost hesitantly.
"Naruto!" With delight, most real…but some fake, Sakura came around the table to give him a quick kiss.
"Hn." She raised an eyebrow at the uncharacteristic coldness in his voice, and looking closer, in his eyes.
"Was the mission okay?" he waved his hand at her question, clearly thinking about something.
"Sakura…" He sat in a chair heavily, letting his shoulders droop. He looked up at her, his mind made up. "…I think we should get a divorce."
Sakura let her other eyebrow raise up with the other. She wasn't trying to act like an irrational female like she wanted to, but heard him out. "Why?"
"Because…this marriage has become fake," He gave a harsh laugh, missing all the humor usually in his voice. "We both have been putting so much into it that its not real."
"Not…real?" She shook her head, and her inner self wanted to beat her up for sounding like a dumb parrot.
"Hai…not real. We stress over every little aspect of our lives now, we want each other to be happy, but we're just making each other more miserable."
"I'm sorry about that Naru-"
"I don't want you to be sorry Sakura!" He rose up, his fist clenched, his eyes burning with anger. "I want you to be able to say you love me without forcing a smile."
"Baka…I do love you." The practiced smile formed on her lips, and he wanted to growl in outrage.
"No…neither of us love each other like we should." Spreading his arm to the window he let his voice rise. "Look at what Shik and Ino have, Hinata and Kiba, they have love, we have…a façade." He looked up at her, and for the first time in a long time, she saw the look of determination that she hadn't seen in years.
She wasn't going to lie, her heart had gotten used to the companionship that marriage had offered her, but she knew that if he truly felt this way, that she wasn't going to hinder him.
"Alright…if that's what you want." Nodding, Naruto's face took on a stoic front. He got up from the table. "Hey Naruto.." He looked back at her, and she saw his bright blue eyes have a look of ease in them. "I'll move out tomorrow then, the apartment…um…is in your name."
He nodded again, then back tracked to her, leaned down and gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek with a soft "Thank you." And that was that.
It had hurt, but had to be done. He knew from the second he walked in that night that he wanted to settle everything. He had watched Sakura wring her hands, had watched her nod her head, but something had lifted off his heart. Maybe this would lead them back to the friendship they had, had a long time ago. And maybe things wouldn't have to be forced.
Our Love: When it Came Back…to One
The morning rose early for Sakura, giving her no mercy. The tears shed over her marriage had dried, and her heart still clenched. But that morning she still made breakfast, tried her damnest not to tell herself that it was for the last time, the last time making it for Naruto on a soft autumn morning. He had slept on the futon in the living room, having her sleep along in their bed for the first time ever when he was home.
"I thought…I'd make breakfast before I go…" She gave a weak smile, and let her eyes drop to the pan in her hands. The eggs steamed silently on the plate on the table.
"Hai…thank you." He nodded at her before sitting down and engulfing the meal.
"So…I will come back later today after work and get my things, I packed last night." The soft voice and hesitant tones made Naruto look up at her. She seemed almost uncomfortable in the kitchen, and cringing inside, Naruto couldn't blame her. She probably felt like she was in a strangers kitchen.
He clamped his mouth shut, not wanting to bother her about where she was going…
…why didn't he ask her where she was going? Was all she thought.
Who would she be staying with now….? He would ask that either….
Why isn't he asking who I'll be staying with?…
Both shook their heads, Naruto telling himself not too bug her, and Sakura telling herself that it didn't matter, he wasn't her husband anymore. She grabbed her medicine bag off the counter, for the last time, and walked out. Neither said goodbye, neither looked back as the glass door opened for her, for the last time. She jumped onto the neighboring roof towards the hospital.
Sakura had decided not to tell any co-workers or even her former-mentor, Tsunade, about the up-coming divorce. But she should have known with her luck that the her drunk sensei would find out. She ended up in the said Hokage's office, looking down at her hands, while standing in front of her desk.
"…you knew I would find out." Nodding Sakura got the courage to look up at her sensei. "You know, especially as my formal apprentice, that all marriage dealings have to be approved by me." Sakura nodded again. Usually she would be able to look her sensei in the eye, with strength and courage.
Tsunade just couldn't continue to yell at the girl when she didn't fight back, where was the fun?
"You want me to give him all S-ranked mission at minimum pay?" She inched forward, waiting for the temper to ignite in the pink haired woman.
"No…its alright…it was a mutual decision, you know how we are sensei." She tilted her head slightly and gave a smile. It didn't reach her eyes though.
"Are you sure Sakura?" Clearly agitated at the days events, Tsunade opened another bottle of sake. When she saw her student nod softly and give that forced smile, she growled and stood from her desk. Her chair skidded behind her, causing it to crash against the window. She stomped towards Sakura, hands clenched, arms raising. "Damn it Sakura! Look at me!" The startled girl brought green eyes up to meet blue.
"Alright…you may leave." Tsunade shook her head as the girl walked to the exit, giving her a soft "Ja…ne."
"I am really getting too old for this."
When Naruto returned from training, he felt his bones ache. The scratches along his back were long and rough, making him grimace every other step. The kitchen was empty, along with a variety of dishes that Sakura had brought with her when they married. He checked the bedroom, and found the drawers empty, along with some old photo albums.
He laid down in bed, remembering their first night here, fighting about the stupidest thing in the world. Who was going to sleep next to the window. She had won after beating him with her first. Nodding to himself, Naruto kept repeating that this was a good thing.
The party for Hinata and for Ino was being thrown at the same time at the local bar. When Sakura arrived she found all eyes on her when she walked in. Ino, with her long blonde hair, and quick tongue was on her first. Somehow through the day the gossiping blonde had found out the news.
"Sakura, why the hell are you getting a divorce?" She grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her. A stunned Hinata, Tenten and Temari stood behind her, nodding their head in agreement with the question.
"Naruto…and I both thought it would be a good idea." She tilted her head, giving that smile. "But lets not worry about that, two of my best friends have more important things going on." The voice had changed from soft to strong, telling everyone that she was done with that particular subject. Ino opened her mouth to argue, but a shy Hinata grabbed her arm and shook her head.
The party continued and as it became late, certain people began to leave, until a very drunk Tenten, a slightly tipsy Hinata, and a cheeky Temari were left smiling at Sakura from across the table. Ino sat beside her sipping her juice, rubbing her still flat stomach.
"Soooooooooooooo….Sakura-chan!" Temari leaned heavily on Hinata as she raised her hand, sloshing sake over the rim of her cup.
"Yeah Sakura," Tenten followed right after Temari raising her glass, thinking the other girl was trying to cheer something on.
"Why.." Hinata was interrupted as the door to the bar was opened uprutly and a group of very hammered men walked in. The group of girls were easily able to notice the men, but the men did not notice them. The girls had picked the table furthest from the main floor, giving them privacy as others left. The group of men, celebrating the same as the females. Rock Lee was carrying a…crying Shikamaru? Tenten leaned over more, causing her chair to tip and for her to fall onto the floor in a heap of drunken laughter.
Nine pairs of eyes locked onto the laugher girl as the floor. Each with a surprising different reaction. Temari gasped on her own laughter, pointing shakily at the girl on the ground. Hinata, being forever caring, asked the girl if she was okay…repeatedly. Ino though did not notice her husband, or his friends, but noticed how Sakura's eyes had widened and looked startled. She followed her gaze to find them locked with Naruto. Both gave each other a sad smile, before looking away.
"Um…I am heading home guys…I have to go to work tomorrow." Sakura stood, making sure she wasn't too drunk, before giving each girl a kiss on the cheek and rubbed Ino's not-so-there belly.
He watched her run out the door, trying not to wince at how much it hurt to see her just after seeing her this morning. The difference was that they would not be husband and wife any longer. But he told himself, this was for both of them. Why tie them both down when they were faking their happiness.
As the party ended, people began to walk home, Neji carrying Temari, who hung her head happily on his shoulder. Kiba and Hinata were holding hands but it seemed more for balance then romance. Ino lead a very drunk Shikamaru home, laughing hysterically when he fell over the threshold in the bar. Tenten and Rock Lee leaned happily against one another as they weaved down the street.
Settling his hands into the pocket of his bright orange pants, Naruto kept telling himself it was for the best he was walking alone, even though his heart clenched.
The morning for Sakura was hell. Having decided to move back home, at the raised eye brows of both her parents. She loaded her stuff back into her old room. This morning had not agreed with her though, her stomach rolled and her eyes were tired and sore. She told herself that it was from the drinking from the night before. The hospital was in full run when she got there, and she walked up towards the Hokage's office to give her process report.
There just seemed to be more stairs today then before, and she grabbed the railing once more when her stomach did a little cart-wheel. She splayed her hands into her hair as she tried to stand straight.
"Sakura! Are you alright?." Seeing the distressed girl above her, Shizune ran up to her, her hand running along her back.
"I'm alright, I just have an upset stomach." Sakura gave a small smile before covering her mouth as another bought of nausea fought with her. "I think I have the flu." Shizune helped her up the steps into the Hokage's office. Tsunade was grumbling about Shizune hiding her sake once again, prowling the office. She stopped dead as a pale, sick Sakura was brought in.
"Shissou, I came to give you the process…" The muscles in her abdomen clenched as bile built in her throat. She caught herself before the bile built up. Her hand tightened over her stomach.
"Kami Sakura, what is wrong?"
"Nothing Shissou, just my stomach…I have the flu." She waved her hand, trying to dismiss the subject, but Tsunade had a different suspicion.
"Sakura…when was your last menstruation?" Clearly confused, Sakura rolled her eyes.
"Shissou, its was…" recalling the last time she had it, Sakura lifted her palm to her mouth, it quivered. "Oh Kami…."
"I believe Sakura…that you are pregnant." Thinking that she was going to faint, Sakura held onto the chair, but she was surprised when she heard Shizune's "Oh..dear," and looked back to see the apprentice lying on the floor…passed out.
'Preg..pregnant? What…How am I going to tell Naruto?'
Feeling the beginnings of a headache, Tsunade got out her spare sake bottle and poured herself one, then another…then another. Kami, she was going to be a grandmother.
A/N: so this is going to be a two, maybe three chapter story. Review please!
-Irish!