Disclaimer: I don't own 'em.

Summary: When Naruto returns to Konoha, he finds out that life has moved on without him, including his ex-fiancé, Sasuke Uchiha.

Warnings: Yaoi! Citrus! Boyxboy loving! NaruxSasu loving! It's all here.

Author's Note: I was so excited finishing the last chapter that I decided to start this right after. But so much stuff happened – first I lost the original (which wasn't as good as this, in my opinion, so I guess I lucked out) and then, after life got in the way, my internet decided to PMS. I know I'm not late (some people update their stories once every two weeks!) I feel late. That's how I am…if I'm not 20 minutes early, I feel like I'm a half hour late. But anyway, here's the chapter.

Also, I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to warn you if another couple that isn't SasuNaru pops up, but that would spoil the surprise, so I'll just say that there's going to be a hint of another couple instead of SasuNaru. Don't worry, they'll be together in the end, but one more obstacle can't kill them, or can it?

Chapter Nine: Breaking Up is Hard to Do

"Gaara," Naruto said, entering their apartment. The redhead was sitting at the table eating some cereal and reading the Konoha Times before the blond barged in and commanded the attention. "I have great news!"

"What is it?" Gaara asked, putting down the newspaper.

"I spoke to Tsunade today," Naruto began, "and she told me that she's going to make an announcement later about me being the next Hokage."

"That's great!" Gaara said, hugging his husband. "I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks," Naruto said. "I just wish Jiraya could see this." Gaara wasn't surprised that a sad smile adorned his husband's face when he looked up.

"Jiraya would be very proud," Gaara said.

"I know," Naruto said sadly, "but I couldn't help think that if he wasn't…killed…he might be here."

"Tsunade didn't think he'd last this long," Gaara pointed out. "You're lucky you returned before he died."

"I don't care," Naruto said. "It's still my fault he died. If I only took the drink, then –"

"Don't you even think that, Naruto!" Gaara yelled.

"It was meant for me, not him," Naruto said.

"So? He was dying anyway! Do you think he'd have wanted you both to go?"

"I told him to butt out of my business," Naruto whispered. "My last conversation with him was an argument."

"Only because he thought you belonged with Sasuke," Gaara said. "But you're happy right now. You don't love him anymore."

"But that's just it!" Naruto yelled. "I do love him. And it's unfair to you. You've given up your life in Suna and your position as Kazekage just to follow me here so I can have my dream. And then what do I do? I fall back in love with my ex!"

"Naruto –" Gaara began.

"No!" Naruto said. "I've had enough of the lies. You don't belong with me, Gaara. You deserve someone much better than me – someone who can love you with all their heart and soul. And I can't be that person."

"Naruto, I love you," Gaara said. "I don't care about Sasu –"

"But you should!" Naruto yelled. "I love you, too, but asking you to be with me is unfair. You deserve so much more than me."

"I know you would never cheat on me, no matter what your feelings are," Gaara said.

"Then why did I kiss him?" Naruto asked. "How come when he kissed me, I kissed back? God! I almost had sex with him when you were talking to Sakura! How sick is that?"

Gaara was silent. This was never supposed to happen – Naruto was supposed to be Hokage, and they could live happily ever after. There was no part in the deal about moving back to Konoha that said Naruto could fall in love with his ex.

"I can't be with you anymore, Gaara," Naruto said, breaking the redhead from his thoughts. "You deserve so much more than me, and I can't watch you settle for less than you deserve." Without another word, Naruto left his husband all alone in their apartment.

OoOoOoOoO

Sasuke wasn't very happy going into the room that the black haired therapist was sitting in. Sure, it looked nice enough – Sai had a desk in the corner that he sat at with a swiveling chair, and on the other side of the room there was a sofa and a nice club chair. Next to the desk there was a small table with a pitcher on it.

"Ah, Sasuke," Sai said noticing the raven entering the room. "Sakura told me I should be expecting you."

"Hn," the raven grunted in return.

"Now, now," Sai said. "Please, sit down. I don't bite. Would you like a drink?" he asked, motioning towards the lemonade on the side table. Sasuke's eyebrows arched. "It's not poisoned," Sai deadpanned. "Here, watch." Sai poured himself a glass of lemonade and lifted it to his lips, drinking the cool beverage down.

"Fine," Sasuke said. "Anything to get this over with."

"That's the attitude!" Sai joked. "So why don't you tell me why you're here?"

"Why don't you?" Sasuke asked. "You seem to be friendly enough with my wife that she should have told you."

"Oh, yes, she did," Sai said. "But I want to hear you say it." Sasuke glared at the man, who seemed unfazed. Sai sent him a wide smile back, causing Sasuke to sigh.

"Sakura seems to think that I don't take our marriage seriously," Sasuke said, taking a sip of his lemonade.

"Is she right?" Sai asked.

Sasuke wasn't stupid. He knew that if he said one thing wrong, Sai would report it straight to Sakura, and his marriage would be over – meaning his kids would be gone. He could tell the truth and hope Sai would keep quiet, or…

"No," Sasuke lied. "I love my wife with all my heart, and it breaks my heart to think that she can't trust me."

"Why do you think she can't trust you?" Sai asked.

"Because Naruto, my ex-fiancé, is in Konoha again, and she feels threatened," Sasuke said. "I wish to god that she wouldn't, because she has nothing to feel threatened about."

"Is that so?" Sai asked. "There is no part of you that wants Naruto back?"

"I am glad he helped make me who I am today," Sasuke said. "If he hadn't faked his death, I wouldn't have ever seen Sakura the way I see her today. But being with Naruto was never really what I wanted."

Sasuke was making himself sick to his stomach by lying like that to Sai, but it had to be done. He couldn't leave an ounce of doubt in Sai's mind, or he'd lose everything he loved.

"So you're bisexual if you were with both Naruto and Sakura?" Sai asked.

"I've never felt attracted to another man the way I was with Naruto," Sasuke said, finally telling the truth. "So no," he continued, readying himself to tell a lie, "I'm not."

"You're not?" Sai asked. "Did you enjoy sex with Naruto?" Sasuke would have turned beet red had he been anyone else.

"I don't think my sex life twenty years ago is your business," Sasuke said.

"You want to know what I think, Sasuke?" Sai asked.

"No, not really."

"Well, I'm gonna tell you," Sai said. "I think you're in denial. I think you're at least bisexual, if not gay, and you are lying to me to save your marriage." Sasuke glared at the therapist. "I'm smarter than you give me credit for, Sasuke."

Sasuke was busted and he knew it. He saw Sai glance at the glass of lemonade that he had downed and smile. Sasuke began to feel a little bit dizzy as Sai stood up and walked over to the couch Sasuke was on and sit down next to Sasuke.

"I think that if you were in a position with another guy," Sai whispered, "you might just be a little turned on," he continued, breathing against his earlobe. He turned Sasuke's head to face him and kissed the raven square on the lips. Had Sasuke not felt so dizzy and so out of it, he would have pushed the therapist off him, but he didn't have the energy.

Sai was in total control of the kiss, and Sasuke knew his motor functions were barely working. Was he this nervous? Was it shock? Was he…enjoying it? How could he possibly be letting this happen? He loved Naruto, and he was married to Sakura. And Sai? Sai was just an annoying obstacle. How did he make Sasuke feel so…so…

Before Sasuke could continue his thought, he looked up at Sai, who had pulled away, and felt his stomach jump a little bit. When Sai reconnected their lips, Sasuke was a willing participant. When Sasuke felt his shirt lift, he knew where this was heading, but quite frankly, he didn't care. He and Sakura were already over, and Naruto would never love him with Gaara in the picture. What's the worst thing that could happen by sleeping with Sai?

OoOoOoOoO

"Where's Sasuke?" Naruto asked, entering the Uchiha house. Sakura was sitting on the sofa with Fushiki watching a movie, and Saki was at the dining room table. Okay, so maybe even Naruto could admit he could have had more class than that.

"I'm sorry," Sakura said with a confused look. "Why are you looking for my husband?"

"I need to tell him something I found out about," Naruto said coolly. "Although I could talk about it with you, too."

"I don't know what you're ta–" Sakura began.

"I think Fushiki and Saki should leave the room for this conversation," Naruto said. Saki called Fushiki over and they left to go into the backyard. Sakura stood up and crossed to where Naruto was standing, holding her arms across her chest.

"You come into my house and demand that my kids leave their house so that you can talk to me?" Sakura asked. "Did you lose your manners while you were in Suna?"

"You want to talk about manners?" Naruto asked. "I'm pretty sure it isn't polite to cheat on your husband." Sakura's eyes went wide and she turned away from Naruto to not meet his gaze. He noticed her body language and continued. "You slept with Rock Lee."

"It's not like that," Sakura said. "Aren't you supposed to be my friend? What happened to the benefit of the doubt?"

"Did you do it?" Naruto asked. Sakura turned around to face him, tears in her eyes.

"You were with Sasuke," she said. "I thought…I thought you two were…together," she admitted. "I had a little too much to drink, and…Lee was there."

"When?" Naruto asked. "When we were in Suna? That was weeks ago!" Sakura shook her head.

"I didn't think it was that important," she said.

"Like hell it is!" Naruto yelled. "You are blackmailing Sasuke into staying with you, using those kids he loves so much against him. Meanwhile, you're keeping this from him."

"So you want to tell him?" Sakura asked. "You can't do that! If he knows, he'll divorce me!"

"Then do the right thing," Naruto said. "Stop blackmailing him. Let him make his own choice. You can ask him to try to make things work, but you can't –"

"If I give him a choice, he'll leave me because he loves you!" she yelled. "You have a strong marriage, you don't need him going after you."

"Actually, I don't," Naruto said. "I broke up with Gaara this morning."

"What!" Sakura asked, panicking. "Why? Was it for –"

"I don't love Gaara with my whole heart," Naruto told her. "I still have feelings…for…"

"Don't," Sakura said. "Don't you dare say it!"

"I still love Sasuke!" Naruto yelled. "And it's unfair. It's unfair to Gaara, to you, and to your kids. But I can't help it."

"You left him!" Sakura said. "You left him all alone, and I had to pick up the pieces. And now, you think that you want him, so he should drop everything and go back to you?" She moved to slap Naruto, but he caught her hand in his.

"I never said I was going to go back to Sasuke," Naruto said. "I won't make any sort of move until things are over for you both, and you and Gaara have moved on. I have no reason to make things worse for anybody else."

"Then keep this a secret!" Sakura said. "Sasuke doesn't need to know!"

"Who else knows?" Naruto asked.

"Maya, Ino, Hinata and Tenten, but I swore them to secrecy," Sakura said. "Then there's Lee, and I told Sai. That's where Sasuke is – Sai's office – but Sai's not allowed to tell him. And then there's Ako."

"Ako knows!" Naruto screamed. "Why does he –"

"He walked in on us after," Sakura said. "He's been lying to Sasuke because he's just as afraid of him leaving as I am." She knew she was lying in part, but she didn't care. Even Naruto wouldn't be so cruel as to ruin their children's lives.

"You have all those people who know about it!" Naruto yelled. "And I know for a fact that Hikari and Saki know, so –"

"Wait, what!" Sakura yelled. "Ako must have told them even when I asked him not to. Did Saki tell you?" she asked.

"No," Naruto lied. "I overheard them talking about it. But that doesn't change the situation. Sasuke still needs to know. Things can't go on like this."

Sakura walked over to the window to the backyard and saw Saki playing with Fushiki. "I want you to take a look out there and tell me that they'd be that happy if Sasuke and I divorced. If they were forced to be dragged back and forth between us, or if one of us couldn't see them, would they be able to play like that? You'd be ruining lives."

"Sakura, I can't just lie –"

"Why not?" she asked. "I'm trying to do what's best for my children. I can't force you not to tell Sasuke, but I'm begging you from the bottom of my soul. Please don't tell him."

Without another word to Sakura, Naruto was out the door, not knowing where to go. He couldn't go back to his apartment to face Gaara. He needed to talk to Sasuke, though. He still didn't know if he was going to tell him about Sakura and Lee, but he knew he needed to talk to Sasuke.

OoOoOoOoO

"More tea?" Ino asked her new houseguest politely. Sure, she didn't like the fact that Temari was there, but what could she do – kick her out? That would not help things with Shiminama along at all.

"No thanks," Temari said. Luckily, Temira took Shiminama out earlier to go shopping, leaving Ino alone with the blonde sand kunoichi. Now she could do what she'd wanted to do since Temari knocked on her door last night. Ino sat down at the table across from Temari.

"So what did you come to Konoha for, exactly?" Ino asked.

"I wanted Shiminama to get to know her father, so the only solution was for us to move here," Temari said with a shrug.

"I hope you aren't planning on living here," Ino said.

"Oh, no," Temari said, "I don't have any intention on taking advantage of your hospitality. I'll find an apartment somewhere to live. I'd just like to stay here for a little bit, so I can get on my feet,"

"What are you intentions with Shikamaru?" Ino asked.

"What?" Temari asked, surprised at Ino's bluntness.

"I asked what your intentions are with my husband," Ino said. "Are you hard of hearing?"

"I don't know where this is coming from," Temari said.

"Recently, a friend of mine was in a similar situation. Her husband's ex came back to Konoha after an extremely long absence. And before the absence, they were the love of each other's lives. Now, her husband's ex has eyes for him, and she is fighting to save her marriage. I will not be put in that situation, do you understand?"

"You must be talking about Sasuke and Naruto," Temari guessed. "Which means I can only assume you're friend is Sakura. I don't see why she would have to worry about Naruto with Gaara there. That reminds me, I should go tell my brother that I'm in town."

"First, you better tell me what's the deal with you and Shikamaru," Ino demanded. Before Temari had a chance to answer, however, the man they were just talking about came into the room, shutting the two blondes up.

"Am I interrupting something?" Shikamaru asked, noticing the expressions Ino and Temari gave him.

"Nope," Temari said with a smile, getting up. "I was just telling Ino that I'm going to see Gaara quickly." She walked out of the kitchen, leaving Shikamaru and Ino alone.

"What are you doing home so soon?" Ino asked her husband. "I'd have thought that Tsunade and Miru would keep you long with Jiraya's murder case."

"I took a break," Shikamaru said with a shrug. "We're kind of at a dead end unless we manage to find that waiter, anyway. You hired him, right?"

"I guess," Ino said. "But I don't really know who he was…I just hired the catering service."

"What service?" Shikamaru asked.

"It's called Konoha Katering, catering spelling with a 'k'," Ino said.

"Where's their office located?" Shikamaru asked.

"It's down the block from the barbeque place," Ino said. "So do you guys have any idea as to who did it?" she asked.

"I can't tell you that," Shikamaru said. "Especially considering anyone who would have done it is somehow connected to us through Naruto."

"So you're saying it's one of our friends?" Ino asked.

"Just drop it," Shikamaru told his wife.

"The only friends we have who are connected to Naruto are Sakura and Sasuke," Ino said.

"I said drop it," Shikamaru said sternly.

"Oh my god, I'm right!" Ino said. Her eyes widened in realization. "You guys think it's Sakura, don't you? You think she was so jealous of Naruto that she tried to kill him!"

"Ino –" Shikamaru began.

"How can you even think that!" Ino asked. "She's our friend!"

"Ino!" he yelled, grabbing her shoulders. "I. Can't. Talk. About. It." He let go of her and she stumbled back. "Sorry, but I can't let you interfere in this investigation." Shikamaru didn't give Ino any time to come out of her shock before he left her alone, heading for Konoha Katering.

OoOoOoOoO

To say Naruto was surprised when he entered Sai's office was an understatement. He barged into the office, needing to see Sasuke, and he did – but he didn't really expect to see…well...

Sai and Sasuke were both but naked, and Sasuke was asleep, or maybe passed out. Sai was putting on some boxers when Naruto came in, and there was a condom wrapper discarded on the floor among littered articles of clothing. The room reeked of sex and sweat, and it didn't take a genius like Shikamaru to put the pieces together.

"Oh my god!" Naruto screamed, startling Sai and rousing Sasuke. "I'm gonna go." He turned around and walked out.

"N-Naruto?" Sasuke asked, clutching his temple. Sai was still in shock over being seen, but he had a plan and he was sticking to it.

"Shh," he told Sasuke, sitting down with him. "Naruto's not here now."

"Where am I?" Sasuke asked. "What happened?"

"As if you don't know," Sai said with a smile. "We slept together." Sasuke's eyes widened in shock, looking at both his and Sai's naked bodies, before realizing – shit – they really did sleep together. He scrambled to get up.

"I-I couldn't have…I don't…remember…what exactly happened?" Sasuke asked.

"You were trying to deny that you were attracted to men, and I guess I got you to admit that you were, huh?" Sai asked.

"No one can know about this," Sasuke said. "If anyone finds out, I'll rip out your throat with my bare hands."

"I sure don't want a grumpy Uchiha after me," Sai said with a teasing smirk. Sasuke ignored him while he hurriedly got his clothes on and left the office.

He had a long way to walk home, and he still felt a little dizzy, but he couldn't stop thinking. He slept with Sai. If he would cheat on Sakura with anyone, it would have been Naruto. Why had he done it? Why had Sai allowed it? Didn't he have a boyfriend?

From the pain he felt in his ass, he knew he bottomed too. Uchiha's don't bottom, sexual orientation be damned. The only time he ever bottomed was with…Naruto. To think that something so special as topping for an Uchiha was given to Sai almost made Sasuke sick to his stomach.

And did Naruto find them? He couldn't really recall, but he knew he heard Naruto's voice. Or at least he thought he did. That would really suck. Would Naruto tell Sakura? Would he never forgive him? He was supposed to be proving himself to the blond, not sleeping with random guys.

The worst idea occurred to him. He slept with Sai. He only saw Sai because Sai was supposed to tell Sakura whether he was committed to their marriage. Sure he threatened Sai, but Sai didn't take it seriously. What if Sai told Sakura? She'd divorce him for sure!

He couldn't tell anybody, but how would he hide his limp when he got home. What did Sai have, a twelve inch dick! Sure, Sasuke never took it up the ass, but still, just the extremity of his limping was obvious. He started to blush just on the walk…er…hobble…home.

Before he could finish thinking about all this, he was at his house, Sakura in the kitchen and Saki and Fushiki out back playing.

"Sasuke, is that you?" Sakura asked.

"Yeah," the raven said. "I just got back."

"How was your session?" she asked.

'Oh god! I slept with him!' Sasuke thought.

"It went well," Sasuke said. "Sai knows I'm 100% committed to you." He sat down on their sofa before Sakura could enter the room and see him limp. Sakura joined him on the couch.

"We need to talk," she said.

"It sounds like you're going to break up with me," Sasuke said. "You're not, are you?"

"No," Sakura said. "I wanted to tell you that you can go back to Naruto."

"What?" he asked.

"I can't keep blackmailing you into renewing our vows and I can't possibly tell you not to feel things that you feel," she said. "I'm sorry, and if you want to leave me, I won't take the kids from you."

"Sakura, I –" Before he could finish what he was saying, she burst into tears.

"I'm so sorry!" she sobbed. "I love you, and I've been a bad wife. I'm so sorry. I don't –"

"Sakura!" Sasuke yelled. "I'm not leaving you. You've been a great wife. Even when I was making you so insecure, you stood by me. I'm the bad one here. I'm sorry I made you feel so insecure about us. I'm committed to our marriage, and I'm still going to renew vows with you."

"Really?" she asked, rubbing tears away from her eyes. Looking into those green orbs, Sasuke could only think of his betrayal.

"Yes," Sasuke said. "Heck, let's renew vows tomorrow!"

"Whoa, there!" Sakura said. "How about Friday? I'm sure Ino will want time to plan it, and I know that we'll want our friends to be there."

"Friday it is," Sasuke said with a smile.

OoOoOoOoO

"What do you mean Naruto broke up with you?" Temari asked her depressed brother. Gaara was sure surprised to see Temari at his door this afternoon, but he couldn't be all that happy. Not when his marriage was over.

"He said he loves Sasuke, and that I deserve someone who loves only me," Gaara said with a monotone. Temari hadn't seen her brother so depressed since before he was with Naruto.

"He's right," Temari said. "If he loves Sasuke, then he doesn't deserve you."

"But I love him," Gaara said. "I can't help it."

"I know," Temari said. "I love him too. He was our family for a long time. But if he can just throw your marriage away, then you're better without him."

"Life was supposed to move on," Gaara said. "Konoha shouldn't be the same as it was when we left. Sasuke shouldn't still love Naruto. He should have moved on. He did, in a way, but he still loves Naruto. And Naruto…loves him."

"Gaara," Temari whispered.

"I think I'm going to go back to Suna," he said. "There's nothing keeping me here."

"I'm sure you can take back being Kazekage if you get there before they decide your successor," she said. "I'd love to see you here, but you don't belong here without Naruto."

"I can't believe just a few weeks here and he's just giving up. Why hasn't Naruto moved on? He left Sasuke on his own accord. He should have gotten over him by now!"

"I know, Gaara," Temari whispered soothingly. She pulled her brother into a tight embrace. "I know."

OoOoOoOoO

"Hey Grandma Tsunade," Naruto greeted the Hokage. He didn't really know where to go except there. He knew Tsunade would give him a place to stay. He didn't exactly want to kick Gaara out of their apartment, but he needed somewhere to sleep.

"Naruto," Tsunade said. "I was just thinking about you."

"What do you mean?" Naruto asked.

"I've assigned Team Naruto for a mission," she said. "It's a C-rank, and you'll have to be in the Land of Water for a few days."

"Really?" Naruto asked. "Finally, a mission that my team can prove themselves on!"

"Yeah," she said. "You guys are going to be protecting some merchant who's leaving from the Land of Water to the Land of Waves."

"Sounds good," Naruto said.

"One more thing," Tsunade said.

"What?" Naruto asked.

"I wanted to let you know that I'm planning on retiring this year, after the next Chunin exam."

"What?" Naruto yelled. "I'm going to be Hokage so soon?"

"Yes," Tsunade said. "That's why I've decided to give your team more C and B rank missions than D ranks, so that your students can train. I'd like to see them all be ready for the next Chunin exam."

"Wow, really?" he asked. "That's great!"

"I'm glad," she said. "So what did you come here for?"

"I…um…I need a place to stay," Naruto said, looking at the ground.

"Is something wrong with your apartment?" she asked.

"Um…no," Naruto said. "It's just that…I…broke up with Gaara."

"What?" she yelled. "He gave up Kazekage for you, and you break up with him?"

"I can't help that I don't love him like he deserves to be loved!" Naruto yelled back. "It's what's best for him. I don't deserve him."

"Is this about Sasuke?" Tsunade asked, remembering something Jiraya told her.

"I want to know Sasuke and Naruto will be together," Jiraya told his former teammate. "I want you to promise me that if I die before they get back together, you will try to push them together for me."

"Jiraya," she said. "I'm a very busy woman –"

"Consider it my dying request," he said. "You might not see it, but I do. Those two belong together."

Tsunade sighed. "I'll do it."

"Sort of," Naruto said. "Do you have a place I can stay, or don't you?"

"I can give you the keys to Jiraya's place," Tsunade suggested. "He actually told me to give them to you when…when you got back together with Sasuke. He wanted you two to live in his place together."

"I don't think Sasuke and I will have a reunion anytime soon," Naruto said.

"Why so sure?" Tsunade asked him.

"Let's just say that even if he and Sakura divorce, I know someone else who he'll be with."

"Do tell," Tsunade said. Naruto sighed.

"I caught him sleeping with a therapist," Naruto said.

"That therapist wouldn't happen to be Sai, would it?" she asked.

"Ding ding ding," Naruto said. Tsunade sighed.

"I'm sorry, brat," she said.

"Thanks," he muttered, taking the keys from her. "I'll have Team Naruto ready for our mission tomorrow at noon.

"Good," she said. "Good night, Naruto." He waved to her before leaving her alone.

So, Naruto broke up with Gaara? Maybe Jiraya was on to something. But Naruto would have to figure things out himself. Without Sakura in the picture, presuming she did kill Jiraya and will go to prison, will Sasuke choose Sai?

What was that thing that Shikamaru said all the time? Oh, right.

"Troublesome."

In the Next Chapter: Sakura and Sasuke renew their vows; Sasuke finds out some startling information; Ino tells Lee of Sakura's status as a suspect.

Author's Note: Yes, there will be a time skip of a few days in the next chapter because I don't feel like writing a filler chapter. Um, we'll just assume Team Naruto left Konoha for their mission right about now. I recently added a poll to my page, and I started a forum if people want to talk about this fic. I hope I get reviews because I like them. Like I said in my other stories, I love people who alert and favorite…they're the meat to my Naruto. But reviews…they're my ramen. So review, and vote on the poll. It's on my page, so when you finish reviewing, vote on who you think killed Jiraya. Even people not registered with FFnet can vote and review, so that's no excuse ;)