Sasuke's eyes narrowed, a dangerous edge to his calm facade. Sakura stood across from him, her fists clenched, her eyes a stormy green.
"You've been seen with Karin," Sakura accused, her voice quivering with a mix of rage and hurt.
"That's a rumor, Sakura," Sasuke replied, his voice steady but a muscle twitching in his jaw betraying his irritation.
"How can you say it's a rumor? People saw you together," she countered, stepping closer, her voice rising.
"I've told you, it's not true. I haven't seen Karin in years," Sasuke insisted, trying to keep his temper in check.
Sakura's eyes searched his, looking for something, anything, that might resemble a lie. "How can I believe you, Sasuke? After everything..."
"Because I've never lied to you about us," he shot back, feeling a surge of anger at the mistrust. "I've never once strayed since we've been married!"
There was a pause, a momentary flicker of doubt in Sakura's eyes, but her stance remained defiant. "Then how do you explain the rumors? The whispers?"
"They're just that – rumors and whispers! We went over this before and I thought you understood when I told you that it's only you I love. Is my word not enough for you now?" Sasuke's voice grew colder, more detached.
Sakura flinched slightly, but her voice was steadfast. "It's hard to ignore what everyone is saying."
"Then maybe you're looking for an excuse to doubt me," Sasuke's tone was sharp.
"Or maybe you're not giving me reasons enough to trust you!" Sakura retorted, her voice breaking.
Sasuke's eyes flashed with an unspoken pain. "Is this what you think of me? After all these years?"
"I don't know what to think anymore, Sasuke!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with frustration and hurt.
He took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling with barely contained anger. "Are you accusing me because you're guilty of something? Are you projecting your infidelity onto me?"
The accusation struck her like a slap, her face paling. "How dare you?" Sakura's voice was a mix of shock and anger.
Sasuke turned away, his hands curling into fists. He couldn't stand there, not without his anger taking over. He strode towards the door, his steps heavy with unspoken words and pent-up frustration. With one final, forceful push, he slammed the door behind him.
As Sasuke strode through the village towards the training grounds, his anger was a palpable force, radiating off him in waves. Villagers, sensing the storm brewing within him, parted like the sea, not wanting to get in his way, their eyes darting away as he passed. He didn't care.
The argument with Sakura replayed in his mind, a relentless loop. It had started right after Sarada left, following breakfast. Sakura had waited, deliberately avoiding bringing it up in front of their daughter. The realization only deepened his irritation. It wasn't just today; it had been building. Just the other day at dinner, she had exploded over some nonsensical issue involving a woman named Shizuka, someone he barely knew from a brief encounter at the supermarket.
'It's always something,' Sasuke thought bitterly. 'Always some rumor, some whisper, some baseless accusation.'
Reaching the training grounds, he was grateful for the solitude. The open space, usually a place of focus and discipline, now served as a silent witness to his turmoil. Without a word, he began his training, channeling his anger into physical exertion. His fist struck the tree before him with punishing force, each hit a release, a way to vent his pent-up frustration.
The pain in his knuckles was distant, secondary to the emotional pain gripping his heart. 'Why can't she trust me? Why does she let these rumors get to her?' Each thought was punctuated by a strike against the unyielding bark.
Blood began to mingle with the tree's sap, his knuckles raw and exposed. But he didn't stop. The physical pain was nothing compared to the turmoil inside. 'I've never given her a reason to doubt me. Not once.'
As his fists continued to meet the tree, Sasuke realized that this was more than just an argument. It was a rift, a growing chasm fueled by insecurities and unspoken fears. And he didn't know how to bridge it.
The harsh rhythm of Sasuke's fist against the tree was suddenly broken by a voice.
"Sasuke-kun?"
The name floated to him, barely penetrating the fog of his anger. At first, he didn't recognize the voice, lost as he was in his own thoughts. He spun around, his glare instinctive, ready to unleash his frustration on the intruder. But his anger ebbed as quickly as it had surged when he saw Hinata standing there, her pale eyes filled with a quiet worry.
Sasuke quickly averted his gaze. "What do you want?" His voice was curt, more from his attempt to rein in his anger than any desire to be rude.
Hinata hesitated, obviously sensing his mood. "I just... noticed you seemed upset. You walked passed me and didn't even hear me calling out to you," she said gently.
Sasuke's hand, still stinging from the assault on the tree, clenched at his side. He didn't want this - her concern, her presence, her witness to his unraveling. He didn't want anyone, least of all Hinata.
"I'm fine," he muttered, not quite meeting her eyes. It was a lie, and they both knew it, but it was all he could offer.
Hinata took a small step forward, her expression softening. "If you need someone to talk to..."
"I don't," Sasuke interrupted, more sharply than he intended. He saw a flicker of hurt cross Hinata's face, and he immediately regretted his tone. She didn't deserve his anger; she was only trying to help.
He looked away, focusing on the battered tree in front of him. 'Leave,' he thought desperately, willing her to understand without having to voice it. 'Please, just leave me alone.'
Sasuke's eyes flicked back to Hinata, realizing she hadn't moved. She was looking at his bloodied hand, her expression a mix of concern and something else he couldn't quite place. Annoyance flared within him, and he quickly shielded his injured hand from her view.
"I don't want to be bothered," he snapped, the words slicing through the air more harshly than he intended.
Hinata just stood there, looking at him. The hurt in her eyes was clear, and it gnawed at him. He wasn't angry at her; she was merely caught in the crossfire of his own internal battle. But her presence, her silent concern, it was too much for him in that moment.
"Leave me alone, Hinata!" he yelled, his voice laced with a frustration that was not meant for her.
The outburst startled her. For a moment, she just stood there, as if unsure of what had just happened. Then, with a hurt look that twisted something inside him, she turned and quickly walked away.
Sasuke watched her retreat, her figure getting smaller in the distance. A surge of regret washed over him, but it was quickly swallowed by the storm of his own emotions. In a fit of frustration, he turned back to the tree and slammed his fist against it, the pain a temporary distraction from the turmoil inside.
Alone again, his anger simmered, mixed with a bitter sense of guilt for having driven away someone who had only wanted to help.
XXXXX
Hinata finally slowed her steps as she reached the clearing at the edge of the forest and re-entered the bustling village. Her heart was pounding so fiercely that it ached. It had been the first time Sasuke had ever yelled at her, and the first time she had seen such hostility in his gaze. As selfish as it sounded, it had wounded her deeply. Deep down, she understood that it had nothing to do with her personally, or at least, she hoped it didn't.
She placed a trembling hand on her chest, trying to calm herself as her mind replayed the events that just happened.
Wandering through the village streets, Hinata's steps led her, almost unconsciously, to the bubble tea place Kiba had introduced her to. The familiar shop seemed like a comforting distraction from her whirlwind of thoughts. As she stepped inside, the warmth of the place greeted her, along with the friendly smile of the young woman behind the counter.
"Welcome back, Hinata-sama. Alone today?" the attendant asked with a welcoming tone.
Trying to mask her inner turmoil, Hinata nodded. "Yes, just me. Could I have a hot matcha tea with passionfruit jelly, please?" She placed her order, her eyes briefly scanning the colorful menu.
"Coming right up. Please, take a seat and I'll bring it over."
Selecting a quiet table at the back, Hinata sought a moment of solitude. Soon, the woman returned, presenting the tea with a gesture that made Hinata slightly uncomfortable – it was complimentary, a frequent occurrence due to her status as the Hokage's wife. She appreciated the gesture but couldn't shake off the awkwardness it brought.
As she sipped her tea, her gaze inadvertently caught that of a familiar face – Shizuka, the woman she had seen with Naruto at the bar. Their eyes met, and despite Hinata's hope for invisibility, Shizuka approached her with a small, tentative smile.
"Hinata, right?" Shizuka inquired, pausing by Hinata's table.
"Yes, that's me." Hinata's response was polite yet guarded, her mind racing with thoughts she preferred to keep unspoken.
Shizuka seemed to study her, an inquisitive look in her eyes that made Hinata feel self-conscious. "I haven't seen Naruto-kun lately. Is he doing well?"
Hinata took solace in the fact that Naruto hadn't been in recent contact with Shizuka. The pang of jealousy was unfamiliar to Hinata, a stark contrast to her usual composure. "He's doing well, thank you," she replied, her tone neutral.
Shizuka leaned in slightly, her voice lowering. "I heard about some disagreement between you two. I hope that wasn't because of me," she said with a playful pout.
Hinata forced a smile, concealing her true feelings. "No, not at all, Shizuka-san. Rumors tend to exaggerate," she replied, brushing off the implication with a wave of her hand.
Internally, Hinata battled with the guilt of lying, preferring to keep the reality of her situation private, eve if things were better between she and Naruto.
Shizuka's expression softened. "You must feel quite fortunate to be the Hokage's wife," she mused, a hint of wistfulness in her voice.
"Yes, Naruto-kun has always been a significant part of my life," Hinata responded.
After a brief pause, Shizuka nodded. "Well, I should get going. It was nice talking to you, Hinata."
"You too, Shizuka-san."
As Shizuka walked away, Hinata found her eyes lingering on the other woman's retreating figure. There was an undeniable grace in Shizuka's movements, a confident poise that seemed to radiate from her. Hinata couldn't help but admire her beauty – the way her hair fell in perfect waves, the striking sharpness of her features, and the effortless way she carried herself. In contrast, Hinata felt a sudden self-consciousness about her own appearance. She had never considered herself to be particularly striking – her beauty was more understated, less commanding. As she sipped her tea, her thoughts drifted unbidden to Naruto. Did he find Shizuka beautiful? The question gnawed at her, stirring a discomfort she rarely felt. Shizuka's allure was different, more overt than her own, and Hinata couldn't shake off the nagging doubt that crept into her heart. She knew Naruto loved her, yet the insecurity, irrational as it was, dampened her mood further, casting a shadow over her already troubled thoughts.
XXXXX
Naruto's patience was wearing thin with each unanswered knock. He was about to leave when the door finally swung open. Prepared to tease Sakura for her tardiness, his playful jab died on his lips at the sight of her red, swollen eyes.
"Sakura-chan? What's going on?" he began, only for her to cut him off by throwing her arms around him, sobbing uncontrollably.
Awkward yet concerned, Naruto wrapped his arms around her. His mind raced, suspecting Sasuke's involvement - either another departure or a fierce argument. He was all too familiar with their volatile dynamic, often more tumultuous than any argument he had with Hinata. Sasuke, with his chilling gaze and sharp tone, didn't need to raise his voice to be intimidating, unlike Sakura's more explosive outbursts.
Feeling Sakura's tears soak through his clothing, Naruto's annoyance towards Sasuke simmered. "Sakura-chan, can you tell me what happened? Is this because of that bastard?" he asked, his tone harder than intended.
Her nod was confirmation enough.
Pulling back to look at her, Naruto's frustration grew as she avoided his gaze. "Was it bad?" he pressed.
"It was one of the worst," she managed between sobs. "He yelled at me, Naruto... Sasuke-kun has never... It's my fault, but..."
Naruto's heart clenched at her distress. "I'll go and deal with him," he assured her, his voice firm.
He hated seeing Sakura, or any of his loved ones, in pain. With a deep breath, he concentrated, quickly locating Sasuke's chakra, and vanished, reappearing at the training grounds. There, he found Sasuke, slumped against a tree, his hand bloodied, his eyes empty. For a moment, he wondered if Sasuke was just as affected by the argument as Sakura. He had never seen his best friend look so defeated before…
Sasuke's voice, laced with sarcasm, broke his contemplation. "Did your wife send you here?"
Naruto frowned, puzzled. "Hinata? No, why would she?"
Dismissing the question with a frown, Sasuke turned away. "What do you want?"
"I went to your house to invite you and Sakura out for a double date with Hinata and I tonight. But Sakura-chan was crying, Sasuke. She's really hurt," Naruto said, the annoyance in his voice creeping higher.
Sasuke's silence only fueled Naruto's irritation. "Are you going to tell me what happened?"
"It's none of your business," Sasuke spat.
Naruto's frustration reached a boiling point, his fists clenching at his sides. "None of my business?" he echoed, his voice rising. "Sakura-chan is my friend, Sasuke. And when I see her crying because of something you've done, it becomes my business."
Sasuke glared at him, his black eyes icy. "You think you know everything, don't you, Naruto?"
"I know enough to see that whatever you're doing, it's hurting Sakura-chan. And that's not okay," Naruto shot back, his voice laced with anger.
Sasuke scoffed, pushing himself up from the tree. "You're one to talk. Your life isn't exactly a picture of perfection."
Naruto stepped forward, his anger palpable. "This isn't about me, Sasuke. This is about you and how you're treating your wife."
Sasuke's expression hardened. "You have no idea what happened. Don't pretend to understand."
"I understand that Sakura-chan is at home crying because of you!" Naruto retorted, his temper flaring. "You need to fix this, Sasuke. You owe her that much."
Sasuke turned away, his jaw clenched. "I don't need your advice on how to handle my marriage."
Naruto sighed, his anger giving way to concern. "Sasuke, I'm not trying to fight with you. I'm trying to help. You and Sakura-chan... you guys mean a lot to me. We're all family."
Sasuke remained silent, his back still turned to Naruto.
Naruto took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "Just... think about what I said, okay? Think about Sakura-chan."
As Naruto walked away from Sasuke, his mind wandered back to the early days of Sasuke and Sakura's relationship. He remembered how they seemed so hopeful, so filled with a quiet happiness that had been hard-earned. They were like two puzzle pieces finally fitting together after a long, tumultuous journey.
But as time passed, that happiness seemed to diminish, overshadowed by the trials they faced. Naruto couldn't help but think about the strain caused by Sasuke's repeated departures from the village. Each time Sasuke left, he took a piece of Sakura with him, leaving a void that never quite seemed to heal, even upon his return. This cycle of leaving and returning had been a constant in their relationship, a turbulent sea that both of them navigated with difficulty.
Sasuke had been in the village for three months straight now, which was unusual and had given Naruto a glimmer of hope. He had assumed things were finally settling down for them, that they were finding their way back to the happiness they once shared. The thought that Sasuke was finally staying put had been a comforting one. It suggested stability, healing, perhaps even growth.
But today's encounter shattered that illusion. It was clear that their issues ran deeper than mere physical presence could heal. The roots were tangled in years of hurt, misunderstandings, and unspoken fears. Naruto felt a deep sense of sadness for his friends. He knew all too well the importance of communication and trust in a relationship, having navigated his own ups and downs with Hinata.
As he continued his walk, Naruto couldn't help but wonder what it would take for Sasuke and Sakura to find their way back to each other. Was it simply a matter of time and patience, or was there something more, something deeper that needed to be addressed? He hoped, for both their sakes, that they would find the answers they needed before it was too late. The thought of two of his closest friends losing the love they had fought so hard to build worried him.
XXXXX
The sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of dusky purple and orange as Sasuke left the training grounds. His steps were slow, weighed down by a mixture of physical exhaustion and emotional turmoil. The village was quiet in the evening, its hustle subdued by the approaching night. Sasuke found himself drawn to a place he hadn't visited in some time – the Uchiha gravesite.
Standing before Itachi's grave, Sasuke stared down at the stone that bore his brother's name. The air was still, as if holding its breath, waiting for his words.
"Itachi," he began, his voice barely above a whisper. "I miss you more than words can say. You always seemed to know the right path, even when it was the hardest one to take." He paused, a lump forming in his throat. "I'm lost. I don't know what to do anymore…"
Sasuke's gaze didn't waver from the grave as he continued. "My marriage... it's falling apart. Sakura's jealousy, her constant doubts – I thought we were past all this. I thought we were okay." He shook his head, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. "I wanted to give Sarada a complete family. But I'm tired, Itachi. I'm so tired of the fighting, the mistrust. I don't want to end up resenting Sakura, but that's where we're headed."
A sigh escaped him, his shoulders slumping. "And today, I snapped at Hinata. She was only trying to help, and I pushed her away." Regret tinged his words. "I owe her an apology. But right now, I can't face anyone. Not even her."
"I wish you were here, Itachi," he whispered. "I could really use your advice."
The only response was the gentle rustling of leaves in the night breeze. Sasuke finally turned away from the grave, the weight of his unspoken words lingering in the air behind him.
XXXXX
As Sasuke approached his home, the lingering heaviness in his heart almost hurt. Pushing the door open, he was met with a sight that momentarily stilled his racing thoughts. Sakura was there, her eyes reflecting relief upon seeing him.
"Sarada's at my parents' for the night," she said softly, breaking the silence that had fallen between them.
Sakura stepped closer, her voice tinged with sincerity. "I'm sorry about earlier, Sasuke. I shouldn't have let rumors and insecurities get the better of me."
Sasuke nodded, his expression softening slightly. "I shouldn't have yelled. I'm sorry too."
As they stood there, a fragile peace hanging in the air, Sakura took a deep breath. "I love you, Sasuke. I've loved you all my life, and sometimes... sometimes it still feels surreal that we're married." She paused, searching his face for understanding. "You're so... you've always been so sought after, and even though you chose me, I still feel this... jealousy. I want people to know you're my husband."
Sasuke listened, a part of him understanding her fears, yet another part found her words bordering on possessiveness. He chose to keep these thoughts to himself, not wanting to escalate the conversation into another argument.
After a moment of silence, he reached out, taking Sakura's hand gently in his. "I do love you, Sakura," he began, and he saw her smile at his words, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. But he continued, his voice steady, "But I think... I think we need a divorce."
The words hung in the air, heavy and final. Sakura's smile faded, her eyes widening in shock and disbelief.