Chapter 2 – Lessons Learnt

"Mr Uchiha?" Sasuke vaguely heard in the distance.

"MR UCHIHA!" Sasuke jumped back into reality facing the woman that spoke to him, "Are you present in this courtroom?"

"Yes your honour, I apologise," Sasuke responded timidly.

The judge relaxed, "Well, we shall continue then. Sai, please."

Sasuke zoned out once again taking in his surroundings, a large room with wooden walls and no windows, obviously to hide from the press, after all, all the public knew was that Naruto was divorced, not that he was in the process of divorcing his ex. The whole situation was overwhelming after all it was the first time he was allowed to leave the hospital in months.

But Sasuke couldn't help but look back to before the court session began.

Flashback

"Okay Sasuke I have to warn you, every indiscretions you've ever had will be revealed today so you must keep calm for everything you have done that will pose as a threat to Naruto or the marriage will help his case," Itachi stated before walking Sasuke into the court building.

"You forget Itachi that I am not here to fight the case; I didn't even hire a lawyer. I'm just here to show Naruto I'm trying," Sasuke replied sounding rather numb.

"I know, I just don't want you to over react I just-"

"Don't want a spiral I know," Sasuke looked around, "Well, whoever is Naruto's attorney must be good, not a single reporter is around."

Itachi said nothing in response, he didn't want to risk telling Sasuke that Naruto would probably use Sai, the private investigator, as his lawyer otherwise he would then have to tell Sasuke that there was a private investigation which couldn't end well on Sasuke's front. Itachi knew that he was constantly walking on egg shells around Sasuke but he didn't care, it was better to hide part of the truth if that meant that Sasuke would get better.

The two entered the court house calmly, well one of them was calm, and the other one was secretly worried but kept it hidden behind a mask of serenity. Two large oak doors revealed the court room's interior to the brothers but none of that caught Sasuke's eye. In fact it was his soon to be ex-husband sitting at the front of the court room with Sasuke assumed to be his lawyer, a smug looking fellow with short black hair and pale skin.

Naruto saw Sasuke too and immediately stood up only to have his lawyer gently push him back down, his facial expression never faltered but clearly he didn't want Naruto speaking to Sasuke unless that affects the court proceedings. Instead Sasuke nods his head towards Naruto which the blonde returned politely.

End of flashback

'He looked so healthy' Sasuke thought, 'or happy? Like the way he was before, before I ruined everything.'

Sasuke then looked at Naruto again, 'I forgot how tanned he was compared to me, after we started dating he did get a lot paler, now he has his complexion back. It also looked like he was standing taller than he ever had before, confidence? He truly is an amazing person…not a possession.'

The rest of the court ran smoothly, one by one Sai brought in person after person to support Naruto's case. First there was Gaara which admittedly Sasuke did not want to see, then there was Sakura, Shikamaru and even Itachi was forced to the stand. Little by little the 'relationship' between Sasuke and Naruto was revealed including the infidelity, the emotional abuse, forcing Naruto to isolate himself, Naruto's depression, attempted suicide, the separation and reunion was all brought to the court room's attention. If this had been a year ago Sasuke would have kicked off for daring to mention his private life to mere strangers which his past self would have thought to have been below him, but no, he spent the entire time sitting calmly, sometimes rubbing his hands together to take off the imaginary paint he pretended to have in order to distract himself from particular shameful acts being recounted.

"Mr Uchiha, would you like to dispute any of the accusations brought to the table today, or say anything in response?" the judge asked

Sasuke stood up, "I have nothing to retaliate or dispute your honour," he took a deep breath, "I do have something to say however. And that is yes, I did treat Naruto horribly, I did everything that I have been accused of today and I regret every single one of them. I caused pain and misery in my lover's, my friends' lives, not to mention my families. I realise that now. I would also like to state in front of the court today that I have been sober for nearly nine months now and I am being treated for my behavioural problems which my brother and doctor say is the result of deep psychological issues. I do not claim however that it is an excuse nor that I am mentally incapable of being here today, instead I take it as an opportunity to show everyone present that I am working hard to get well." He stopped for a second, "Also that I am very sorry," He turned to Naruto. "Especially to you Naruto, I'm sorry for everything."

Naruto stared with a mixture of awe and disbelief and apparently no one in the court room could believe it either, all of a sudden there was a disruption of murmuring throughout the court room which in the end had to be stopped by the gavel of the judge, "Order."

Once everyone quietened down and Sasuke sat back down the judge asked, "Sai is there anything you would like to add?"

Sai looked to Naruto who shook his head he turned back to the judge, "No your honour, I think everything had been said."

"Then it's decided by this day forward Mr Uchiha and Mr Uzumaki are no longer married," Naruto smiled and Sai patted Naruto on the shoulder as a sign of congratulations, "I can only hope for your continuing and growing health and happiness Mr Uchiha-"

"Thank you your honour," Sasuke bowed

"-As well as you Mr Uzumaki, I also wish you all the success in the world. May you be well."

"Thank you your honour," Naruto also bowed kindly

"With the signature from both parties, this will be considered official by law," The judge handed the paper to a guard who passed it to Sai who gave it to Naruto to sign. He then passed it back to the guard who handed it to Sasuke. Sasuke lightly traced his hand over Naruto's signature, this was the closest he had ever been to touching him again and he felt deeply saddened.

"Mr Uchiha?" the judge looked at him concerned, "You do realise you cannot back out of this one right? It's mandatory that you sign this paper, you don't have the choice anymore."

Sasuke snapped out of it, "Yes your honour, I'm sorry I was just…never mind," and with that, he finally did what it seemed like the world wanted him to do, he signed the divorce papers.

Hi Guys!

Another chapter complete!

Please review so I know what you think and I'll see you in the next chapter :)