Naruto clutched the newly revised divorce papers to his chest. His heart hammered against them and sweat beaded on his forehead. He had rejected Gaara's offer to come with him but now he was regretting that decision. His breathing became laboured as he thought about what was lying behind that door. How would Nagato react? The anxious blonde squeezed his eyes shut and slowly entered over the threshold, the papers shaking in his fearful grip. Naruto started to wonder if he could really do this, could he hand over the documents and then just walk out on everything he had built with Nagato. Would his husband even let him turn his back on what little was left of their marriage.
The door clicked quietly closed behind him, his eyes scanning every area he could see. Gaara had made it clear to him that he was to go upstairs first, grab his possessions and then confront Nagato. He had questioned it of course, thinking that Nagato would know immediately what was happening. The floor boards creaked under his weight as his ears picked up faint talking from Nagato's office further down on the first level. His fear subsided slightly. If Nagato had company then there was a chance he could get in and out before an argument ensued.
When Naruto made his way into what use to be their shared bedroom he grabbed a suitcase out from under the bed. He then proceeded to grab the things he held close to his heart; photographs of his parents and friends, gifts from Jiraiya and the necklace Tsunade had given him. It wasn't much but Naruto was used to having so little, it was only after moving in with Nagato did he accumulate more possessions and they were things like furniture which he was happy to leave. The next things he grabbed were his clothes and his laptop. Naruto quickly closed the suitcase and made his way down the stairs again, placing it next to the door before taking in a deep breath.
His feet almost felt as if they were lead. Each step gaining weight and slowing him down. Naruto persevered though. His fear would not control him; Nagato would not control him. After what felt like an eternity a breathless Naruto knocked on the office door. He cringed when he heard Nagato's smooth voice ring out and Naruto gave himself a small, reassuring pep talk in his head before entering. Nagato stared up at him surprised, it was obvious the man was not expecting Naruto to be home.
"Naruto…I'm just in a meeting" two familiar people greeted him. The Uchiha brothers sat opposite Nagato quiet comfortably and Naruto avoided the youngest one's gaze. There was something in Sasuke's eyes that unsettled him, a knowing look and obnoxious smirk gracing his features. The oldest Itachi, merely looked amused; a faint interest in the newcomer.
"Oh…I just wanted to give you something…" his voice wavered and a blush crept up his cheeks. Nagato looked at him impatiently, it caused Naruto's resolve to harden. He did not come all the way back to this house for nothing. If Naruto didn't give him the papers now he would lose his nerve and have Gaara send them. That wasn't the way Naruto wanted to do things, he wanted Nagato know that he was serious; that it was really over.
"Can't it wait Naruto?" the embarrassed man grimaced out. The whiskered scared Naruto grew angry. He hated how Nagato always treated him as a nuisance and that the two men between them were more important than their marriage. It became very clear to Naruto in that instance how little Nagato valued him.
"Here. Sign them and get them back to Gaara" The papers left Naruto's now sturdy hands quickly and landed on the mahogany desk with a resounding bang. Nagato made no move for them and eyed them as if they were contaminating his desk.
"I don't have time for your games right now Naruto…" Out of the corner of his eyes he saw Sasuke move slightly. The pale man's hands were curled into fists and Naruto could have sworn he saw the man's face show a flash of anger. It confused Naruto. Why would Sasuke care how Nagato treated him? Yes the disrespect his husband was showing him was distasteful but he never thought Sasuke would bat an eyelash if it didn't concern him; even after spending a few hours with him at the centre yesterday.
"It's quite alright. Sasuke and I can come back at a more convenient time" Itachi stated calmly, making a move to stand up. Nagato raised his hand and shook his head. His eyes piercing daggers into Naruto's.
"No. Naruto can wait, this is more important" Something in Naruto snapped. He felt his face well up with radiating heat and he snarl his lips. He had come here to do the decent thing and end their marriage in person and Nagato treated him as if he was dirt; that he was just a small insignificant bug that he had just stepped on.
"Don't fucking bother Nagato, I'm leaving and I'm not coming back. Just sign the fucking divorce papers and give them to Gaara. I never want to see or hear from you again" Naruto stormed out of the room, the hair on his forehead blowing backwards from his quick and forceful pace. He couldn't believe he had even doubted his decision to leave Nagato. That he felt guilty and responsible for their marriage falling apart. But now he saw it for what it really was. Nagato couldn't care less about him or their marriage. Naruto had been so blind and naïve to think that the red head loved him, that there was even a small slither of hope to cling onto.
Naruto didn't stop when he head footsteps behind him. He kept his head high and his pace constant. He refused to give Nagato the satisfaction of even one glance back. Naruto deserved better. He deserved someone who loved him, who cared for him and who would never harm him. For once in his life Naruto was going to put himself first. Nagato be damned, he was taking his life back. He reached his hand down to grab the handle of his suitcase but found himself spun around quickly.
Nagato pushed him up against the door. His eyes feral as he imposed down upon him. Naruto went to push the out of control man away only to have the divorce papers waved in front of his face. Naruto placed one foot behind him to sturdy himself and gave Nagato one last push, causing him to stumble backwards. He picked up his suitcase, holding it against his chest to protect himself.
"Divorce! You have to be fucking kidding me!" Nagato yelled out, throwing the papers on the ground and causing them to scatter. "After everything I have done for you, this is how you repay me!"
"Yes Nagato, divorce. I'm sick of fighting with you and after what happened I can't be with you anymore" he placed a hand on the door handle behind his back slowly. He didn't know how far Nagato would take this and his only hope was that the Uchiha brothers being in the house would keep Nagato at bay.
"This is because you had to walk home! Jesus Naruto! Stop being so childish!" Nagato fisted his hands into his hair; an exasperated sigh leaving his lips.
"You think…you think it's because I walked home?" Naruto replied shocked. He felt as if he had been doused in ice water. Did his husband really not acknowledge punching him? "You hit me Nagato!" tears began to pool in his cerulean blue eyes. "How can you not understand that the second you raised your hand to me that you ended this!"
"Men fight Naruto! It's normal! Stop being such a baby!" Nagato took a step forward and went to grab the suitcase out of his husband's hands. "Stop this nonsense"
"No Nagato. What you did…it's not normal…it's not okay" Naruto whispered out, tears now falling freely down his face. He felt despaired at Nagato's revelation. "It doesn't matter that we are both men. I am your husband and it is never okay to lay a hand on me in that way and the fact that you can't see that proves to me that leaving you is the right thing"
"You can't do this to me! I'm running for Mayor! If you do this you will ruin everything! I won't sign it Naruto! I refuse to!" Nagato grew frantic causing the frightened blonde to become alarmed. "I've given you everything you ever wanted! You owe me your support!"
"I owe you nothing Nagato. I'm leaving now…" Naruto twisted the handle of the door and pulled it. The door forced him to take a few steps forward and Nagato grasped onto his arm. "Let go…"
"I won't let you leave me Naruto, I won't let you destroy my career" Naruto winced under the tightening grip. He needed to distract Nagato somehow and get the man to let him leave. "You will forget all this divorce bullshit and fulfil your duties as my husband"
"Let go of me Nagato or I will scream" The two men stared at each other for a while before Nagato let his grip drop. "If you have any issues with the divorce papers contact Gaara"
Naruto was out of the door in an instant and broke into a sprint towards his car. His legs were shaking with a mixture of fear and adrenaline. When he reached his car he flung himself into it and locked the doors. His emotions overwhelmed him causing his hands to become glued and unmoving on the steering wheel. Salty tears poured down his face, his lips trembled and his nostrils flared. Naruto felt so stupid. He should have listened to Gaara and brought the man with him. If he had Nagato would never been able to get near him.
Naruto quickly pulled out of the driveway and attempted to make his way to Sakura's. Eventually he felt his shoulders hunch over. He pulled over, turning off the car and he placed his head on the top of the steering wheel. What was the point at keeping his emotions at bay? It was like flood gates exploded and a scream tore from his throat. All of the pain, betrayal and regret ripping the scream harshly causing it to sound like a wounded animal. He felt battered emotionally and physically. It was like Nagato had taken him and everything he stood for and crushed it in his hands over the years. How could he go on? Nagato was right, he had nothing. All of his money was tied up in their house, his belongings were so few he could fit them all into a suitcase and he couldn't keep couch surfing at his friends places.
Naruto felt completely and utterly defeated. Never had he imagined that he would end up homeless again with little to his name. Back then he had Jiraiya to partially rely on but now? Who did he have? What did he have? Of course he wouldn't go back to Nagato, what little self-respect he did have he clung to like a life line. If he held on to that one shred of self-decency he could at least try to pick himself up. Naruto jumped when he heard a tap on the passenger's side window and wound it down.
…
Sasuke and Itachi had remained in Nagato's office, listening to the couple scream at each other. It took everything Sasuke had to stay in his seat and listen to the escalating situation. He felt Itachi's eyes on him, watching him carefully. It made him feel slightly calmer knowing that his brother was next to him, that if anything serious happened there was two of them to defuse the situation.
"You knew?" Itachi stated. His voice held a hint of amusement at how involved Sasuke already seemed to be. Usually it would irritate him when his brother poked his nose into his personal life but this time it was different. They were after all backing Nagato and Sasuke trying to gain Naruto's affections was an unstable factor to the company. Itachi had a right to know that Sasuke was willing to shake things up and that there were extra risks attached.
"I knew, I saw the papers yesterday" Sasuke's eyes met his brothers identical ones and Itachi frowned at him. "Alright, so maybe I took a peak when Naruto wasn't looking"
"Sasuke…things seem…unusually volatile between them, be careful" That was Itachi. Prying and yet reserved. He always knew Sasuke's business yet his attempts to steer Sasuke down the right path was cryptic warnings and guiding words. Sasuke didn't know how he managed to do it as even when he thought he was doing the opposite of what his brother wanted the end result always played out how Itachi envisioned.
"I can handle Nagato" Sasuke scoffed. He was Sasuke Uchiha, co-owner of a billion dollar business. Nagato was nothing but a ladder climbing figure head. Sasuke had the real power and if he wanted to he could destroy Nagato.
"I meant Naruto, Otouto. I know men like Naruto and I know you" Itachi's tone was accusing and wary. It was obvious his concern was for Naruto not him. "This man…he isn't a plaything. If you pursue him make sure it's for the right reasons"
"I'm not an idiot, Oniisan. Naruto is…different" his brother raised an eyebrow at him, a small smile playing on his lips as if he knew something Sasuke didn't.
"I'm sorry gentlemen but I'll have to cut this meeting short" Nagato bowled into the room. His hair a mess and checks tinge in red. It didn't take much to confirm Sasuke's suspicions. The man in front of them had clear signs of a temper. The bruise on Naruto's cheek had definably come from the man in front of them.
"It's quite alright. If you don't mind me saying Mr Gakure an amicable split is better in the public eye…" Sasuke felt a guarded feeling come over him as Nagato tried to stare his unfazed brother down. "I mean no harm. I'm just saying a messy divorce doesn't go away quickly…"
"I will keep that in mind Mr Uchiha. Now if you don't mind I need to call my lawyer" Sasuke and Itachi left without a word. They remained in silence until they got to their car, hoping in the back as the driver held the door open for them.
"What do you think?" Sasuke questioned. He stared out the window his mind on Naruto. He wondered where he was right now and if he was okay. He was sure Nagato hadn't hurt him again since they had been on the premises but from the raised voices he assumed it was a nasty verbal exchange.
"I think. That Mr Gakure does not let go of his possessions easily" Sasuke spun his head quickly, his eyes narrowing.
"Naruto is not a possession Oniisan" he spat out. Itachi nodded in agreement.
"I didn't say he was…but to Nagato…" Sasuke understood what he had meant. They had both seen it numerous times. Living in the top end of society they came across numerous greedy men and woman that saw people as possessions. They used them as toys and if they weren't done with playing with them it was nearly impossible to pull those people out of the iron grip hold they had.
But Sasuke was certain Naruto was different. For one the man had moved quickly when cutting ties. Throwing divorce papers straight away rather than sticking it out. Sasuke had also seen how passionate he was and passionate people were strong people. "Kakashi, pull over"
"Oniisan?" Sasuke asked confused. He watched as Itachi quickly got out of the car. Sasuke remained inside the vehicle, waiting for his brother to return and when he did his eyes grew wide. Naruto slid in behind him. His eyes were bloodshot from crying and his hair feel forward as he looked at his feet. Naruto avoided his stared, obviously embarrassed about his current condition.
"Naruto's going to stay with us for tonight" a soft sniffle came from Naruto and Sasuke watched as a blush rose to his cheeks. It reminded Sasuke of yesterday but this time it gave him no pleasure. The blonde man looked so fragile he was fearful to touch him, afraid that even the smallest pressure would cause the man to crumble. It made Sasuke's heart clench in pain and yet to him it was a beautiful sight. Naruto was so vulnerable, his emotions pouring out from every whimper and slight movement. It made Sasuke want to go back to the house they just left and beat Nagato to a bloody pulp but at the same time he wanted to take Naruto into his arms and hide him from the world. He wanted to wrap the fragile man up so that no harm could come to him again.
"Thank you" Naruto's voice was fainter then a whisper but Sasuke heard it and gave him a reassuring smile. He wanted Naruto to know he was safe with him.