Chapter 5

A dark haired man sat on the floor of a pitch black room. The only source of light, a small ball of chakra, just barely illuminated his face. All was silent, until a knock was heard from the door.

"Come in."

"Someone was following me."

"What?" The man sitting on the floor, head lifting up slightly.

"My shadow clone noticed someone following him into the forest. He couldn't distinguish the person's chakra signature, though this could prove to be trouble."

The two men were engulfed in silence after that. Finally, the older man spoke. "Do not do anything for now. However, if he follows you again, kill him."

"Very well." The one who entered left just as quickly, gone within seconds.

The man on the floor got up, groaning at the effort. "Sasuke Uchiha, you will pay."

~~~

"Sasuke." Sasuke paused at the familiar voice, turning around to greet an old friend. "Gaara."

The red haired man narrowed his eyes ever so slightly. "We must talk, Sasuke." Surprised, Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "What about?"

"Naruto."

This caught his attention. "Is there something wrong with him?" The only response Gaara gave was a slight twitch of his fingers, one that Sasuke barely caught.

"I know you have noticed. Have you figured it out yet?"

"No. I'm following him again tonight. Are you coming."

A slight nod.

Sasuke sighed. "Very well. Meet me at my apartment in about 3 hours. We can discuss then."

With a flourish, he turned around, heading towards the Uchiha household. It was time to break the news to his daughter.

When he got there, Sarada was already on the couch, drinking what was most likely a new herbal tea Sakura made. "Oh good, your dad's here. Let's start." A grim Sakura emerged from the kitchen. She took off her apron and placed it on the counter before heading over to sit next to Sasuke.

Sarada narrowed her eyes at her parents, sensing that whatever news they were going to deliver, it wouldn't be good. Sakura spoke first.

"Listen Sarada. Your father and I have made a decision that would most likely affect the rest of your life."

"Without me?"

"Um, yes. It does affect your life, but you have to understand that it's not about you. Sasuke and I were doomed from the start. It's not your fault."

"You two are getting divorced." Sarada murmured.

Having enough, Sasuke jumped in. "When you grow up, Sarada, you are going to be exposed to many things. One of them being love."

Both girl's heads snapped to Sasuke, clearly surprised. "I don't love your mother. I tried to, but I couldn't. I was trying to fool myself, and that was wrong. Listen, you might not understand this now, but love is a complicated thing. It's fragile, yet strong. It's easily mistaken as and for other emotions, and honestly, I never loved your mother. I love someone else."

Tears were now running down Sakura's face as she tried to surpress them. She should've expected this. It wasn't her. It never has been. And even though she's always known this fact, it still hurts. It hurts even though she knew that she never had a chance. There wasn't any room for her in the Uchiha's heart beyond friendship.

Sakura was brought back to attention when Sarada's voice filled the room.

"You guys don't have to explain anything to me. I understand, and honestly, I saw it coming. I'm glad you are resolving this now instead of waiting another few years. But I do have just one question."

Both parents leaned in slightly, waiting for her to finish. "If what you two had wasn't love, then does that mean that what Naruto and Hinata-san has isn't either?"

What?