Naruto sat next to Gaara in a circular meeting room, his hands in his lap and thumbs twiddling together. He felt like he wanted to vomit. It was the first time he would see Nagato again since dropping off the divorce papers. Gaara had been surprised how quickly Orochimaru had requested a meeting and had become wary, causing him to insist the meeting was held at his firm's office. Naruto hadn't expected a meeting at all, especially not a week later.

Naruto had spent the time with Sakura when he wasn't at work or the shelter, which had been quite a bit of time. Sakura was the shelters medical physician and she had insisted Naruto cut back his hours. He had reluctantly agreed with her. Naruto had felt far too fragile and the people he supported needed to see him strong, not the mess he was currently. He almost felt like a cracked sheet of glass, one bit of pressure and he would smash to the floor.

"Just let me do the talking Naruto and don't directly engage with him" Naruto nodded and kept his eyes on the floor. He had found himself wishing Sasuke was with him. Ever since he had left the Uchiha mansion he had felt an urge to take Sasuke up on his offer. He had felt safe and strong around Sasuke. Naruto had refrained from getting in contact with him though. He didn't want to burden Sasuke anymore then he had.

"Something isn't right Gaara" Naruto whispered. He could feel it deep down in his gut there was something very wrong with all of this. Gaara grasped his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"Hey, you've got me backing you up. We have this" The door creaked open and Naruto paled at the sight of his soon to be, well he hoped soon to be ex-husband. Orochimaru and Gaara exchanged a head nod, indicating they acknowledge each other on a professional level. "Orochimaru…Mr Gakure"

"Gaara…we've asked for this meeting to present an arrangement between my client and Mr Uzumaki" Orochimaru stated as he sat down, Nagato on his right and opposite the shaking blonde.

"There is no negotiation, we have presented you with our terms and that is final" Naruto refused to look across the table but he could sense the confidence rolling off the other two men.

"We are not here to negotiate the terms, in fact due to Mr Uzumaki only perusing the investments he contributed to everything is pretty clear cut" Orochimaru took out a stack of papers and put them in front of him.

"As I said we have a proposition…to do with the youth shelter" Naruto's head shot up and his eyes widened is disbelief.

"You bastard! How dare you bring the shelter into this!" Gaara placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder to calm him down and steeled his eyes onto Orochimaru.

"This arrangement can benefit both parties. You see, the damage of this divorce is extreme when it comes to my clients career prospects so all we are asking is a postponement and in return Nagato will put the shelter under a trust when he enters office. This trust will be put in the name of who Naruto sees fit to oversee it" Naruto froze in his seat. As it was the government technically owned the building and the land the shelter was on. If it was put into a trust it would prevent any sale of the land unless authorised by the person with the trust's authority.

"We are offering a simple divorce, one that reduces any damage to Mr Gakure's political standings, as it is Naruto has very little involvement with that part of Mr Gakure's life, the effects would be minimal" Naruto had zoned out, he could hear Gaara talking but his mind was spinning.

"I believe the damage would be significant. Naruto is seen as a key support person, combined with Naruto's charitable activities the loss of that could lose a substantial amount of votes. Also this isn't an ordinary divorce due to our client's sexual orientation, the opposition can use that as fuel to create a slur campaign" Gaara went to speak but Naruto quickly cut him off. Orochimaru was right and even though he had begun to despise Nagato it was a good offer. He could guarantee the future of the shelter and Nagato could achieve what he had been working towards most of his life.

"What do you want in return?" Naruto questioned. He felt Gaara narrow his eyes at him taking the bait but he didn't care. "What are the terms of this arrangement?"

"For publicity purposes you will maintain the image of being married to my client. Attend banquets, rallies or any event you are needed at to show support" Orochimaru stated, flicking over the paperwork in front of him.

"I won't live with him" he saw Nagato's fist's clench and shrunk back. He knew he was putting himself at risk even being in the same room as Nagato.

"You won't have to, as I stated it is purely for show" Naruto leant back in his seat and ran a hand through his hair. He looked towards Gaara who had his lips in a firm line and eyes holding a glare that even Naruto was scared of.

"And if my client doesn't agree to this?" Gaara spat out. It was obvious they had them in a corner. Not because there wasn't any way out but because Naruto would never turn down a deal that involved the shelter. Orochimaru had played his cards well.

"Let's just say the land could be worth a lot of money…metaphorically of course it wouldn't be too hard to suggest the sale of it" Orochimaru slid a piece of paper into the middle of the table and Naruto quickly snatched it. He knew they would make good on their threat and he wouldn't let his personal issues put the future of so many in jeopardy.

"Naruto, let me read over it first" Gaara went to take the contact but Naruto quickly scrawled his signature down. "Naruto!"

"I don't care Gaara, it's only a year and there will be people around at all times" he threw the paper back at Nagato and their eyes locked together. Naruto's in disgust and the red head's in triumph. Naruto questioned how he had ever loved such an under handed man.

"There is a clause in there about dating, after all it wouldn't look good for appearances if you were seen with another man…" Naruto bit his lip. It's not like he had even thought about dating but a part of him had hoped that maybe something would happen between him and a certain onyx eyed man. There was no harm in being friends though, after all Sasuke and Itachi were possibly going to become the shelters benefactors.

"That's fine…" a pained look fluttered across Gaara's face as he replied. It wasn't like he could change the clause after Naruto had hastily signed the agreement.

"Well now that's settled we have other business to attend to. We will be in touch with a list of events you will be expected to be at. Good day to you both" Orochimaru stood up and waited for Nagato to do the same.

"Do you want something?" Naruto spat out at him. He had never been so angry in his life. Not only had he walked straight into their trap but he had agreed to it without thinking it over first. Nagato would have known he would let his emotions make his decision for him and cloud his judgement.

"Sasuke Uchiha, stay away from him" Naruto stood up angrily, flinging his chair backwards as he leant forward towards the calm red head.

"I have agreed not to date you manipulative asshole but don't you dare think for a second you control any other part of my life" Gaara quickly pulled Naruto backwards.

"Get out of here before I call security" he spat out, standing in front of his enraged friend in a protective manor. "You've won this round Orochimaru but don't think for a second I won't find a way to reverse this"

"Try all you like brat" the two agitating men left the room quickly and Naruto felt his legs go weak. Gaara caught him effortlessly and grabbed him a drink of water after sitting him in a chair.

"I'm an idiot" Naruto breathed out and put his head in his hands. He hated how he played so easily into Nagato's games. He had let himself be so predictable that he had given up everything again without even thinking twice about it. Naruto knew it was the right thing, the shelter came first but he could have at least let Gaara negotiate. Who knew what other little clause's Nagato had put in to keep him on a leash.

"Yes you are but your and idiot with a good heart" Gaara gave him a weak smile. "I'll figure something out Naruto, I won't let those men use you as a puppet"

"But what about the shelter?" Gaara grabbed Naruto's hands into his.

"Listen to me Naruto. I will find a way to make all of this work. I will keep the shelter safe and I will ensure you have control over your life again but I need to look over this contract properly to find out the full extent of what you have agreed to" Naruto numbly nodded and pulled out his phone.

"You interested in BBQ tonight?" Gaara shook his head but smiled slightly.

"No, I need to read over this bullshit agreement but say hi to everyone for me" Gaara moved to collect his things and the copy of the agreement Orochimaru had left behind for him. "Naruto, try have a good night"

"I will. It's not all bad really, he's agreed to a divorce so all I have to do is survive the year of boring political parties"

….

"Sakura!" Naruto bellowed out as he rubbed the back of his head. The small statured woman stood in front of him with her hands on her hips and a disappointed frown on her lipstick covered lips. Naruto was sure he could feel a lump forming from where she had wacked him. He didn't blame her though, in fact he was expecting it.

"You're an idiot Naruto!" she glared out. "You got out, you had done it and now look, you've played right into his hands. He messed with your head with those stupid games of his and now you've given him a chance to dictate your life through a stupid piece of paper!"

"Don't you think I know that Sakura! I feel stupid enough as it is without you lecturing me" Sakura grabbed him, quickly pulling him into an engulfing hug. Naruto wrapped his arms around her and rested his head on top of hers.

"I know you're doing it for the right reason Naruto, it would be amazing if we could secure the shelter under the protection of a trust…that man he's just so frustrating!" Naruto placed a light kiss on her forehead and gave her his bright smile. He didn't want her to worry. If all he had to do was turn up to snooty events and pretend to be a doting husband it was worth that security. It wouldn't be to hard either considering he had spent most of his marriage doing just that. "Tonight had been fun though"

"Yeah it was, I've missed everyone" Naruto and Sakura had spent the evening with Shikamaru, Ino, Choji, Hinata, Shino and Kiba. The group had been childhood friends since they started school and had been inseparable ever since, even if Naruto did play the odd prank on them. Even though they all volunteered together at the shelter Naruto had barely spent any time with them outside of it. Nagato had always insisted he spent his spare time with him at home and until now Naruto didn't realise how much he had missed them all.

"They were worried you know…everyone's been worried" Sakura made her way over to the kitchen and began to pull out a small kettle. "We always hope you would see things the way we did"

"Sakura…please, I don't want to talk about this" he flopped down onto the woman's couch and put his feet up onto the coffee table. "This is…hard for me. I've always been the independent one, the one who could hold his own ground and look after himself. Lately…I haven't felt like that person. I feel weak. I need time to heal from this before I can talk about it because right now I feel like I'm barely keeping it together"

"Naruto…Move in with me" her tone was decisive and it caused Naruto to let out a small chuckle. "Not in here of course. Let's find a bigger place. You need somewhere to live and splitting the cost we can afford a nice place"

"Sakura, I'm not sure that's a good idea" she placed a cup of tea in front of him and gave him a look that said she had already made up her mind.

"Look, you need someone to look after you right now whether you like it or not. You're a mess and you've put yourself in a vulnerable positon. I know you want to do this on your own but the reality is you can't so suck it up and take the help offered to you" Naruto found himself trying to escape into the back of the couch. It was obvious Sakura had been spending way too much time around Tsunade. "I want out of this crummy apartment and you need somewhere to live"

"You promise you won't smother me to death with your mothering?" he replied cheekily back, earning him another whack to the head.

"Nope, I'll be the one knocking some sense into you" she sat down on the couch next to him and tucked her legs under her.

"Alright, let's give it a go" his eyes lit up, the crystal blues swirling with happiness and excitement.

"Don't expect me to do your washing by the way and warn me if you are bringing company home" Naruto choked on his drink, causing him to splutter.

"Sakura! I just left my husband I'm in no rush to find someone…even if I could I don't think I would want to" Sakura gave him a knowing look and picked up a magazine off the table.

"Not even if that person was Sasuke Uchiha?" she smirked. Naruto felt his cheeks heat up and he concentrated swirling the tea in his hands around. "You like him!"

"He's…nice" he replied glancing at the cover she held up. Sasuke was on the front, posing awkwardly in a custom ordered suit. The expression on his face was one that Naruto could only associate to boredom but he couldn't help study every detail of his face. There was a slight hint of Photoshop but overall it looked barely touched up.

"You do! You are totally into Sasuke!" Naruto shook his head but didn't say anything to tell her otherwise. She was right, he did feel an attraction towards him.

"It doesn't matter, no dating remember" he moved quickly, avoiding her hand that had flung towards him.

"Naruto Uzumaki, you will not let some flimsy piece of paper stop you from dating. If I'm not correct, which I am by the way, it says you cannot date in public" Naruto groaned, of course Sakura would find some wriggle room round that clause. She was right but Naruto couldn't see Sasuke as the relationship hiding type.

"I'll think about it" he finished the rest of the tea and offered her a hand up. "Now get off my bed, I ate way too much and I feel a food coma coming on"

"Alright, alright no need to get bossy. I'll wake you up bright and early so we can go apartment hunting" she threw a few blankets at him and left the room, leaving him to make the couch into a makeshift bed. His mind wandered to what Sakura had said. Was he really prepared to let Nagato stop him from moving on? If someone really wanted to be with him and he was honest surely they would understand the situation. It's not like Naruto was opposed to the idea of dating, well he was but if a person worth his time came along why should he let his past dictate that for him.