A/N: Sorry this is overdue! I had been sick last week and working on the chapter on and off. I finally decide to finish it yesterday. I'm so-so with the results, but I hope you all enjoy it!

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Saturday

Blue eyes shifted back and forth between the teenage boy and the younger girl sitting silently beside each other on the couch. Both were absorbed in either their restless fingers or the carpet as they sat in the sitting area beside the kitchen. He and Hinata sat side by side on the small sofa, while Himawari and Boruto sat across from them. Naruto wondered what thoughts might be racing through their minds. Himawari adjusted her position slightly, her gaze moving between him and his wife before settling back on her own hands.

"Will we still get to see you?" Himawari's voice broke the silence.

The innocence of her question tightened Naruto's throat as he managed a sad smile. "Maybe not as often as before, but very frequently, I promise. We'll have weekends together, and I'll come by on some evenings. We can still have dinner together sometimes, right?"

He looked at them both, trying to sculpt his uncertainty into something solid and reassuring they could grasp and trust.

Boruto's frown deepened. "So, basically, it'll be like how things were before?"

Naruto cast a glance at Hinata, who struggled to maintain eye contact, seeking her support, especially since Boruto was much closer to her than to him.

"We'll plan special times for all of us," she said gently. "We're still a family, just a bit different."

The word "different" lingered in the air like a thick fog, clouding the path forward. Himawari, unable to bear the tension, scooted closer towards her brother, seeking comfort. Boruto remained still, his gaze fixed on Naruto. Despite his frequent protests of annoyance, Naruto knew Boruto loved him deeply. But the emotions swirling in his son's blue eyes were all too familiar: anger and disappointment.

"Do we have to move again?" Boruto's voice broke, his gaze shifting to Hinata.

Naruto waved his hands dismissively, a forced chuckle. "No, you both will stay here with your mother. I'll be at the Hokage Tower. Whenever you want to visit, you can spend the night with your old man, eh?" His grin was tinged with a sad attempt at cheerfulness.

Himawari's faint attempt at a smile faded quickly, while Boruto simply nodded, his features set in a solemn expression. When Naruto took another chance to look at Hinata, he finally caught her eye. She had tears in them, and the sight made his heart clench. An overwhelming urge to wrap his arms around her and shield her from any pain surged through him, but he remained still.

"Does Grandpa know?" Boruto asked.

Hinata shook her head gently. "No, Naruto-kun and I will talk to him next week. I need you both to keep this between us until your father and I are ready to make it public."

Naruto felt the burden grow heavier. He had barely wanted to tell the children; now, he faced not only his father-in-law but also the daunting prospect of public scrutiny. The thought of discussing the intimate details of his failing marriage with anyone else was the last thing he wanted. Would he be seen as a failure? Would people blame Hinata, or would they think it was his fault?

He had hoped for a few more days of convincing, but Hinata's determination the previous night, her insistence on telling the children, signaled her final decision. There was no turning back. She was serious about not giving their relationship another chance.

His shoulders sagged as the reality sank deeper. Hinata, his beloved, the cornerstone of his life and the mother of his children, wanted a divorce. The dream of growing old with her was unraveling before his eyes.

"So, when will this divorce stuff happen? Are you already divorced now?" Boruto's question was direct, pulling Naruto back from his spiraling thoughts.

Another pang hit him hard. As Hokage, the divorce would be swift, almost immediate once the papers were signed. He didn't want to lose Hinata. He didn't want to return to the loneliness that had shadowed his early life.

Already, even with his family around him, he felt a profound isolation beginning to set in.

"Your mother and I still need to discuss the details, but it will happen soon," Naruto said, pausing to place his hand gently atop Hinata's. He felt her flinch slightly, but he didn't withdraw his touch. Meeting her gaze, he saw the struggle in her eyes as she fought back tears. He squeezed her hand, his smile tinged with sadness. "I love your mother with all my heart, and that won't change. I love you kids just as much. We're both sorry to be putting you through this. We've hit some barriers, and that's why... why we..." His voice faltered, the words catching in his throat.

Boruto stood abruptly. "Can I go?"

"Yeah..." Naruto's response was barely audible.

After fielding a few more questions from Himawari, she too left, probably to check on Boruto, leaving Naruto alone with Hinata.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" he asked quietly.

"Yes," she whispered back, her voice so low it was almost lost. "I've been thinking about this for the past few months, and recently, it's become more pressing. Your actions towards Gaara-sama were just the tipping point. If it hadn't been that, it would have been something else."

Naruto clenched his jaw, struggling to maintain his composure. The thought of losing her was unbearable.

"Do you want me to leave tonight?" he asked hesitantly.

Her eyes darted away, then back, filled with discomfort. The question hung awkwardly between them, reminiscent of the previous night's painful deliberation over whether to share the same bed or sleep separately. Despite their decision, old habits prevailed, and they had woken up snuggled in each other's arms. Hinata had nearly fallen off the bed in her haste to distance herself, her face flushed as she muttered apologies.

Though he remained silent at the moment, he found himself wishing he could have held onto her a bit longer.

Given her evident discomfort, Hinata likely wished to avoid a repeat of that morning's unintended cuddle session. If Sasuke hadn't been using his office, Naruto might have retreated there for the night. But the possibility of being asked to leave immediately loomed large and unspoken between them.

"If you stayed, it would only complicate things further..." Hinata's voice trembled, her lower lip quivering as she spoke. She bit it quickly, a futile attempt to steady her emotions. "We might end up like this morning again, and you know how you can be," she added, turning her gaze away as a flush crept up her neck, betraying her inner turmoil.

"I never heard you complain. You always seemed to enjoy yourself, actually," Naruto teased, trying to lighten the mood.

The sight of her flustered expression brought him a guilty pleasure, and even as she playfully punched his shoulder, the gesture carried a weight that spoke volumes.

"I can stay at the Hokage Tower if that makes you more comfortable," Naruto offered, noticing her hesitant nod. He sighed, resignation lacing his voice. "Okay, but Hinata?"

"Yes?" She met his gaze, her eyes searching.

"Can I hug you? One last time?" he asked, his voice softening.

She appeared uncertain at first, but then she tentatively opened her arms to him. Avoiding his eyes, she looked off to the side before her gaze flitted back to him. Naruto smiled gently and turned, wrapping his arms around her body. He nuzzled into the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply, the familiar scent of coconut and vanilla from her shampoo enveloping him. Clinging a bit tighter, he savored the warmth of her body against his, wishing the moment could stretch on indefinitely, capturing the essence of their connection one last time.

As Naruto felt Hinata's arms hesitantly encircle him. Despite the gravity of their situation, he relished the warmth and familiarity of her embrace. Just as he was about to lose himself in the moment, his lips edging to kiss her, the unexpected sound of a voice shattered the fragile peace.

"So you guys do it out in the open when no one is home?" Sasuke's words cut through the silence like a knife.

Hinata was the first to pull away, and Naruto felt an instinctive urge to rewind the last few seconds. From Naruto's perspective, the interruption was poorly timed. Though mildly annoyed by Sasuke's lack of tact, he bit back his frustration, recognizing the need to maintain composure.

Sasuke furrowed his brow slightly. "Is everything alright?"

Before Hinata could respond, Naruto interjected, masking his emotions with a casual tone. "I was just giving my wife a hug, a little charge up for the day."

As they adjusted to the abrupt change in atmosphere, Naruto attempted to pivot the conversation toward something more neutral. "Sasuke, do you need any help moving stuff into your new place?"

Sasuke shook his head, his expression unreadable as usual. "I don't have much, and I won't need any help."

Despite Sasuke's dismissal, Naruto persisted. "Are you sure? I can always make time," he offered.

It was then that Naruto caught a fleeting exchange of looks between Sasuke and Hinata. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but to Naruto, it spoke volumes. The quick glance was enough to unsettle him, though he kept his thoughts to himself.

Suddenly, Sasuke turned to Hinata. "Do you want to train?" He asked.

Naruto's face fell into a pout. "Hey, I was hoping to spar with you. Need to avenge myself from last time," he said, half-joking yet half-serious.

"Maybe some other time, Naruto. You're not quite ready to handle what I've got planned."

Hinata excused herself to go upstairs and change into her training gear, leaving Sasuke alone with Naruto. An awkward silence filled the space between them. Naruto, grappling with his emotions and the weight of the day, blurted out before he could think better of it, "Hinata and I are getting a divorce."

Sasuke's reaction was one of genuine surprise. "What happened?" he asked, his voice betraying a hint of concern beneath his usual stoicism.

"It's complicated. I won't be staying here tonight. Could you... watch over Hinata while I'm at the Hokage Tower? Just let me know how she's doing."

Sasuke's expression hardened, and he shook his head. "I don't think it's my place to get involved in your affairs," he said, though his tone suggested regret rather than refusal. "But how about we grab a drink later tonight? Talk it over?"

A small smile tugged at Naruto's lips, grateful for the offer even if it wasn't exactly what he had hoped for. "Yeah, that sounds good, Sasuke. Thanks."

XXXXX

The tension back at Naruto's place lingered in Sasuke's mind as they stepped onto the familiar grounds of the training area. Despite the ordinary chatter, something had clearly shifted; Hinata's usually calm demeanor was frayed, though she hadn't voiced her distress. He saw it in her eyes. He wanted to say he was surprised about the news, but he felt it coming. Even though he hoped it wouldn't. He knew his blonde friend wouldn't know what to do without Hinata, despite being the reason for the divorce. Sasuke reasoned that perhaps the training session could distract her, at least for a while.

As they began a round of taijutsu, the physical exertion seemed to temporarily clear the air. Sasuke observed Hinata closely, noting the unusual determination in her movements. Mid-combat, he decided to breach the silence that had accompanied their physical exchange. "Want to talk about it?" he asked, dodging a particularly sharp jab.

Hinata didn't break her rhythm, her response was to intensify her attacks, each strike more forceful than the last. Her focus culminated in a powerful kick that caught Sasuke off-guard, sending him flying backward onto the ground.

He barely had time to register the impact before Hinata was by his side, her voice filled with concern. "I'm so sorry, Sasuke-kun!" she exclaimed, extending a hand to help him up.

Sasuke waved off her apology as he rose, dusting himself off. "It's okay," he assured her, a hint of a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "I'm impressed, actually. You're getting stronger."

As they paused between rounds, Hinata's voice was barely above a whisper. "Sasuke-kun, Naruto and I are getting a divorce."

Sasuke adjusted his stance, maintaining eye contact with her. "He told me," he replied quietly, recalling the conversation earlier while she was changing. "While you were upstairs."

There was a brief silence. Sasuke wasn't known for his comforting skills, but the gravity of Hinata's situation pushed him beyond his usual boundaries. "I'm not the best at this... comforting," he admitted, his voice as steady as his gaze. "But if you need anything, I'm here."

Hinata nodded. Sasuke thought about his own protective instincts, which seemed strangely amplified in Hinata's presence. He couldn't quite understand why he felt compelled to protect her smile, her spirit. Was this how Itachi had felt about him? Or how Kiba felt about Hinata?

"Thank you, Sasuke," Hinata said, her voice steady but soft. "Should we continue training?"

Without a word, Sasuke answered by throwing a kunai towards a nearby tree, signaling the resume of their session. They moved into position, their movements fluid and precise. Sasuke, despite having only one arm, managed his maneuvers with practiced ease, turning his apparent disadvantage into a form of art. His chakra-enhanced speed and reflexes allowed him to compensate, parrying Hinata's attacks and countering with controlled aggression.

Hinata matched his intensity. The dance of their combat was almost poetic, each movement synchronized and purposeful, their powers manifesting in a display of spinning kicks and deft blocks, the sound of their breathing and the thud of their strikes punctuating the air.

Eventually, they reached a standstill, neither gaining the upper hand. Breathing heavily, Sasuke looked at Hinata and asked, "What do you want to do next?"

Though he didn't voice it, his question was more than an inquiry about their training—it was an offer of distraction, a way to keep her mind off the painful realities awaiting her.

Exhaustion settled over them like a gentle cloak after their intense sparring session, prompting Hinata to suggest a quieter moment.

"Let's just sit for a moment," she said.

She ambled over to a nearby tree and slid down to sit at its base. Sasuke, feeling a similar need for a pause, followed and took a spot beside her, leaning his back against the rough bark. The quiet around them felt almost tangible, a peaceful interlude in the midst of life's chaos.

Hinata broke the silence first, her voice carrying a hint of vulnerability. "I never thought something like this would happen," she admitted, her gaze lost to the horizon. "It feels like I broke our family because I couldn't keep our marriage together."

"Shut up," he said. "Stop that self-loathing; it's annoying." He shifted to look at her directly, his dark eyes glowered with mild annoyance. "It's Naruto's fault too, not just yours."

Hinata looked at him. After a moment, she nodded. "You're right," she whispered, then quickly added, "I'm sorry."

That drew a small, almost imperceptible smile from Sasuke. He reached over, flicking her forehead gently.

"Ow, what was that for?" Hinata exclaimed, as she rubbed the spot.

Sasuke's smirk broadened just a touch, his usual stoic expression giving way to teasing. "Idiot," he said softly. "Stop apologizing for things that aren't your fault."

Hinata gaped him for a moment, before nodding as he nudged his shoulder against hers and continued.

"If you keep apologizing for nonsense, I'll flick your forehead three times." He smirked at her surprised face, as he slowly turned into a frown.

She shielded her forehead causing Sasuke to smile at her futile attempt to protect herself.

"Thank you…"

"For what?" He looked over at her. White eyes met black.

Hinata brushed her fingertips against her forehead. "For being nice to me," she said, her voice gentle but earnest. "For being here, for listening... for everything. You say you aren't good at comforting others, but that's not true. You're always so kind to me."

Sasuke looked over, the setting sun highlighting the subtle softness that occasionally flickered across his typically stoic features. "You don't need to thank me," he replied quietly. "It's what friends are for."

"Look," Hinata said, pointing towards the horizon where the sun cast a brilliant array of colors across the sky. They both stood, walking to the edge of the training field to get a better view. The sky was ablaze with hues of orange, pink, and purple. Considering the time of day it way, it was off, but it was…

"It's beautiful," Hinata murmured, her eyes wide with wonder.

It truly was a beautiful sight. It was moments like these, he realized, that he cherished—peaceful, simple, and shared with someone who understood silence just as well as he did.

XXXXX

A short chapter today, but I hoped everyone enjoyed it. I focused on Naruto and Sasuke's POV and we will focus on Hinata's in the next one!

Now that the divorce is coming, the papers will be signed soon we'll be able to dive in a bit more the SasuHina scenes, slowly but surely! As I mentioned before, Hinata will be the first one to fall. It might take Sasuke some time to catch up, but he will get there and once he does… well, you'll see! There will be major drama between Naruto, Hinata, Sakura and Sasuke…but that's a bit of ways to go. I'm trying to make it as realistic as possible and with that being said this story will be a long one. Definitely more than 30 chapters.

Side note: I've been thinking about revamping my ShikaHinaSasu story and changing the plot completely (it was a high school story that is published on FF, but I abandoned it alongside many others and I want to change the dynamic to college setting)…but I'm trying to finish this story before I do…but maybe a one-shot first and then a prequel can follow. Would you all like to read a ShikaHinaSasu story? I'm unsure if it will be ShikaHina as the end goal or a throuple type of story. Or would the throuple be too much? (And for those that aren't aware of the term, it's a three person relationship.)

Either way, see you all in a few days!