A/N: So Liz has been encouraging me to pick up and write on her profile. I agreed ONLY on the basis that I would relay comments, condolences, and support from her fans, in an effort to get her as close to her old self as possible, given the circumstances. She also told me to post my stuff here, since I write and write but don't feel like going through the trouble to set up my own page. So here goes. Stories from the origin to Liz's Naruto fixation: me.
Not many things amazed Sakura anymore. She'd seen some of the worst possible outcomes of battles, she'd seen some of the worst betrayals in history, and she'd seen the darkest sides of people she thought she knew. But this…this amazed her…and confounded her…and slightly frightened her. She stood on the balcony of her home looking down into serious jade eyes.
"W-what did you just say?" She asked, to clarify if her ears were working properly or if she needed to go to the clinic and get her hearing checked out.
"I said I wish for you to accompany me to the banquet tonight being held in honor of Naruto being named the next Hokage." Sakura stared in complete shock. First off, Gaara, the Sabaku no Gaara, had made a formal request…of her no less. Second, she was thoroughly shocked that he was even going to the banquet tonight. And to top it off, he seemed to completely disregard the fact that his entire presence here was to arrange a marriage between his country and hers in order to strengthen their bonds.
The bride candidates hadn't even been released to the public yet! "Uhm…are you sure that's wise, Kazekage-sama? You are here to pick up your bride, aren't you?" She noticed his eyes darken a second before he closed them.
"Nothing is official until after tonight's banquet." Sakura gulped as she picked up on his dour mood at the mention of the 'forced merger' as Temari had deemed it. Temari was already set to marry someone from Konoha, though Sakura had a pretty good idea who it was if Temari's presence at the Nara home since her arrival was any indication.
"So…that means it would be okay for me to be your companion tonight…even though I'm…" She couldn't finish her sentence. She'd been forced into being a bride candidate for the Uchiha and had even been chosen…until he'd betrayed them yet again.
Sakura noticed those jade eyes stay on her, as if asking her 'even though you're what?' She sighed and managed a smile. It felt good to at least be considered pretty enough to tag along to a banquet she was already a part of. "I…I would be honored to accompany you, Kazekage-sama." She noticed him nod and then turn, apparently going back to the Tower to get ready. He stopped before walking away completely.
"Call me Gaara." Sakura blushed before nodding and smiling. He'd never before offered her that familiarity. She smiled and walked back into her house. She went straight to the bathroom and turned on the shower. She wanted to look her best if she was going to be on the arm of the Kazekage at the banquet tonight.
Sakura stood in her room in a fluffy mint green towel and tried to decide what to wear. Her best friend and brother figure was going to be named the next Hokage, so it had to be something dressy, yet not so flashy that she'd take attention away from him. She bit her lip, trying to decide, when she heard a noise. She stilled completely and cocked her head, listening. Whatever it was, it was coming from downstairs.
Very carefully, she slipped to her bedroom door. She pulled the two senbon she kept hidden in the frame out and quietly slid out the door and down the hallway. She was at the top of the stairs when she saw someone coming into the living room from the kitchen. She noticed a tall, dark headed figure and she froze: Sasuke. Uchiha Sasuke was in her house. That traitor was in her house.
Tears formed in her eyes and her jaw clenched. It wasn't enough he chose her as his bride candidate and then betrayed her and their village…now he was here and snooping through her house? Rage curled in her belly as she watched him pick things up and then put them down. What was he looking for? She gasped when she noticed him making his way to the bookshelf on her back wall. All her parents' things were on there. It was all she had left of them.
She watched him pick up her mother's kunai set before inspecting it. He put it down and then moved on to her father's blood stained Hitai-ate. She noticed a smirk appear on his face before he put it down with a murmur. She clenched her teeth. Both had adamantly rejected the proposal to present Sakura as the Uchiha's bride candidate. They'd been targeted specifically out of their entire unit and both had been killed. She had no doubt it was Sasuke's doing…to punish her for not standing by him when he'd decided to try and destroy the village for a second time.
He moved on to another thing she kept on that shelf…the box of the ring he'd given her to signify their engagement. She noticed him smirk before picking the box up. Boy was he in for a surprise when he opened it. She watched him crack it open a bit before tensing and jerking it wide. Inside, there was nothing but a receipt.
She smirked smugly as she remembered the trader from Iwa that had taken an interest in the intricate diamond ring and given her a really large sum of money for it. She noticed his jaw clench before he slammed the box shut and threw it at the wall. He then grabbed the shelf, intent on knocking it over. Sakura was about to jump into action, but it seemed something caught his attention.
She watched him reach up one shelf and pick something up. She bit back her gasp as he found the intricate hour glass Gaara had given to her as a wedding present when he'd visited after the announcement of her engagement. They'd become friends of sorts over the years since she'd helped save him and his brother. She watched in horror as rage turned Sasuke's eyes red and he threw the hour glass on the floor. The intricate (and most likely hand carved) wooden frame and the delicate rose colored glass that held the fine grained sand shattered, along with a part of Sakura's heart.
Sakura stifled a sob as she watched him kick the remnants of her precious gift…the only gift Gaara had ever given anyone, according to his sister. Sakura noticed Sasuke's head snap up and she gasped; she stood and raced back upstairs, but as she rounded the corner, Sasuke was there. His glare made the hair on her neck stand up and she raced back down the stairs. She was almost to the door to her house when she was slammed against it.
"So you'll keep a gift from that monster but you would dare sell the ring I gave you for our engagement?" Sakura gasped, trying to catch her breath as he jerked her around to face him, pinning her against the door once more.
"He…never b-betrayed…me…" She gasped out. She'd had the breath knocked out of her…twice. She noticed the insanity burning in his eyes as he grabbed her and threw her over his shoulder, hauling her over to the couch.
"I did not betray you…it was you who betrayed me!" Sakura shrieked when he threw her onto her couch and pinned her hands above her head. Her towel inched up a bit, almost exposing her womanhood to him. "I am your husband! You were to follow me!" She hissed when he tried to get on top of her but found it difficult because her couch was so small.
Sakura could feel tears in her eyes and she hissed. "We weren't even married before you decided to betray the village again! You expected me to follow a man who betrayed me not once, but twice? Have you lost your fucking mind?" She screamed and struggled. She managed to throw him off long enough to get up and run towards the bookshelf. She grabbed her mother's kunai, only to have her legs swept out from under her. She landed hard on her back atop some of the rose tinted glass, which dug into her skin, causing her to bleed.
She struggled with him, trying to get at least one kunai with which to protect herself. She gasped when he wrestled that away from her and threw it. Instead, she grabbed a piece of the wood framework from her hour glass and stabbed him in the shoulder. He howled with pain and she managed to kick him away from her. She put the distance of the whole living room and most of the kitchen between them. She grabbed two large cooking knives from the block on her counter and turned them on him.
He was staring down at his injury as if he couldn't quite believe it. "You...you stabbed me." He stated and looked up at her. His eyes were crimson. She looked away, remembering how he could entrap her with his gaze using the Sharingan. "You stabbed me with a part of that monster's gift!" She noticed his body flicker and she rushed forward. She remembered this trick…it was how he'd nearly taken Naruto's head off during his betrayal last time.
She turned quickly, not wanting her back to him, and watched as he appeared where she'd just been. He turned and looked at her, his eyes wide and surprised. She decided to look at his hands instead of his eyes. "Don't think you can use that trick on me, Uchiha. I was there when you used it to try and behead Naruto." She hissed. She noticed him growl and then rush towards her.
She tried to sidestep but he anticipated it and barreled into her, knocking the knives from her hands and pinning her to the ground. She could feel the sand grating against her skin. She also felt her head being forced up. She closed her eyes, clenching them shut for as long as she could. They widened when he punched her in the stomach. She gasped and tried to close her eyes again, but he'd caught her…he'd used his Sharingan on her.
She lay there, in a ripped and bloody towel, her body paralyzed by her own mind. She could only watch as he pulled out the piece of wood she'd used as a stake and threw it aside. He glared down at her. "Well, since you would not marry me, I will make it to where no one will marry you." He hissed and reached down and ripped the towel from her body. Sakura couldn't speak, couldn't call for help…only the tears leaking from her eyes spoke of the agony she was currently feeling.
Sakura had resigned herself to being raped, as she couldn't move a muscle thanks to Sasuke's Sharingan. She laid there, naked, atop the remnants of Gaara's hourglass. She could hear Sasuke cursing at her, telling her she was worthless…telling her this was all her fault…that this was no more than she deserved. Her tears came more and more frequently now. She could feel his hands on her, rough and uncaring. She tried to shut her eyes, but she couldn't.
Her breath froze as she felt something shifting beneath her. It was like it was vibrating, whatever it was. She could feel Sasuke's hand about to touch her maidenhood and she tried to scream. Glass shattering had Sasuke standing and looking around. Sakura could hear something…something that sounded like the water of a hundred foot waterfall. She noticed a shadow and then Sasuke was thrown backwards. She watched as Sasuke got up, crying out in pain. She gasped when he turned and glass was embedded in his face, around and in his eyes.
Sakura gasped as she was released from the effects of the Sharingan. She rolled and tried to dart upstairs, but something had hold of her. She turned, horror on her face, until she noticed she was being covered up with a large maroon trench coat. She gasped and pulled it closer to her while the man who'd saved her dealt with the traitor before them. His arms were crossed over his chest and his jade eyes were cold…colder than she'd ever seen them…even when he'd been a deranged killer.
Gaara wrapped his arms around her and made her look up at him. He was checking her over for injuries, that much she was sure of. His eyes were asking if she was alright, but all she could do was cry. Tears fell down her cheeks and she pressed herself tightly against him, trying to stifle her sobs. He held her tightly as two ANBU appeared and looked over at them. "We got your message, Kazekage-sama. We will take him into custody now." He nodded and looked at Sakura, who was clinging to him.
Sakura pressed even tighter against him until he just picked her up and carried her upstairs to her bedroom. He felt her stiffen in his arms, but he just whispered to her that he was going to take her to her room while he spoke with the ANBU. She hesitantly nodded and he sat her on her bed while he shut the door and walked back downstairs. Sakura sat there, tears falling down her face. Sasuke had called Gaara the monster, but yet he'd been the one about to rape her. It made no sense.
She nearly jumped when she heard her bedroom door opening and looked up with tear filled eyes to find Gaara walking in. He had a bag in his hand that he sat down by the door before he went and sat beside her on the bed. He noticed her eyeing the bag and he closed his eyes. "Temari suggested that I come over before putting my robes on so you could color coordinate your clothes to mine. She said that you would want to." He said quietly. Sakura perked a bit at that. Temari was a smart woman. She'd been thinking about that while she'd been in the shower.
She noticed his fists clenched as she held his coat tightly around her. She looked up to see his eyes were dark with something as he looked over at her. "I'm sorry that I didn't get here sooner. Perhaps if I had, you would not have had to go through that." Sakura arched a brow, wondering just what he thought she'd gone through. She realized the position she'd been in when he'd appeared and she turned red with mortification.
"I…I…" She gasped when he suddenly threw his arms around her and held her tightly. She brought her arms up and wrapped them around him, amazed he was showing such emotion. He never showed emotion. She squeaked when she felt him pull her close to him, his face burying in her neck. He inhaled deeply and sighed.
"I wanted to kill him for touching you. He had no right." Sakura perked at that. Sasuke had pretty much said the same thing about Gaara. He'd been pissed that out of all the wedding gifts she'd received, she'd only kept Gaara's. She blushed and picked at the fishnet covering his arms.
"W-well, he didn't really do anything to me. You got here before he could go f-further." She was blushing now as she looked down at her lap. She felt him shivering and wondered if he was suddenly cold. She looked up and gasped at the look on his face. It was a mixture of relief and rage.
"He hurt you." He hissed and swept his hand over her back, growling when she winced as his fingers brushed the scratches on her back. She bit her lip and looked at him.
"Well, yes, but he's been hurting me since we were kids. At least the physical hurt will heal with time. I'm just thankful he didn't get another chance to hurt me emotionally." Gaara was quiet and just watched her. Hadn't he hurt her emotionally? He'd been prepared to rape her, hadn't he?
It was then that Sakura perked and looked up at him. "How did you know Sasuke was in my house?" Gaara blinked and a light red dusted his cheeks, making his nose more pronounced.
"When your blood touched the sand, I knew something was wrong with you. I came to check on you." She arched a brow and he looked away. "The hour glass I gave you…I made it." Sakura gave a light gasp and put her hand to her he had made that beautiful hour glass. For her! She scooted closer to him and touched his shoulder. She could feel the shiver that went over him.
Again, she couldn't help but wonder why he shivered when she touched him. She gasped when he turned his gaze to her. His eyes were glazed and hot, a bright red blush on his face. She couldn't help but think him very attractive at this point. "K-Kaze," She started but corrected herself when she remembered his earlier allowance. "Er, G-Gaara…" She ended his name with a lilt, showing the questions she had without asking them.
She gasped as she was suddenly under him, his eyes glazed with passion. "I should kill him for touching you." He growled as he rubbed his face against her neck and cheek. She just stared at him. What was going on? What was Gaara doing? And why? He seemed to sense her confusion, because he started lightly running his nose over her soft skin. "Has it not made you wonder why I would give a gift to you, when I had never given anyone anything?" He asked quietly.
Sakura blushed at the implications he was making. Her lip suddenly started quivering and she looked away from him. "Please don't tease me…" She begged. She gasped when she felt the scrape of teeth on her neck.
"I do not tease, woman. I do not know how to express my emotions like a normal man. For me, giving a gift to someone…" He trailed off as he looked down into her eyes. She stared up at him, finally catching on to just what that gift had meant. She teared up when she did.
"For you, it's like a confession of your feelings." He nodded and nuzzled her neck. She whimpered and held him tightly to her. He growled low in his throat and started caressing her skin with his tongue. Sakura cried out and gripped him tightly.
"I can smell him on you. I want to get rid of his scent. You should not smell like that bastard." He growled and suddenly picked her up. She gasped and held tightly to him as he walked from her bedroom to the bathroom just across the hall. He didn't even stop, just shed his jacket from her and walked into the shower. He turned it on so the hot water slid caressingly over their bodies…his still clothed and hers completely naked.
She moaned at the feel before trying to work his clothes off. His wet shirt hid nothing from her as she ran her fingers up under it, pulling it up and over his head. He was blushing more brightly now as he stared at her while she undressed him. The fact he'd shed his shoes at some point did not go unnoticed, but she merely pushed his pants down his legs, telling him to kick them off and out of the shower.
He did as she demanded and suddenly found himself naked in Sakura's shower, said kunoichi pinned between him and the wall. He panted as he looked deep into her eyes. "Are you sure, woman? I do not want to hurt you." She was momentarily stunned by the admission, but she smiled gently up at him.
She shook her head and held up her hand, the soft green glow catching his attention. "You won't hurt me Gaara." She whispered and then touched her hand to her hip. She gasped and then closed her eyes. "This jutsu only lasts for a few minutes, so you'll have to hurry." She gasped and looked at him through hooded eyes. He wanted to ask questions, but he decided to ask after he'd eased the ache in his body.
With a nod, he slowly aligned himself with her and pushed in. They both gasped as he did and Gaara found himself panting, his head on Sakura's shoulder. For her part, Sakura's mouth was wide open. She could feel the pressure of his entry, but the pain was being blocked out by her jutsu. It was a nerve block that lasted two minutes…a very efficient jutsu on the battlefield. She bit her lip as Gaara moved slowly, his every breath a gasp as he pushed into her deeply.
Sakura was starting to feel a slight burning, a sign that the jutsu had worn off. His miniscule movements were helping ease the ache in her body from her newly lost virginity. She was barely breathing, her eyes closed in passion, when she felt him thrust into her very deep and rougher than he had previously. She screamed and then buried her face in his shoulder, trying to avoid being so loud. For his part, Gaara seemed to want to hear her, because he did a similar movement seconds later and growled when she stifled her scream.
He shifted, wrapping his arms around her with his hands tangling in her hair. He pulled her closer to him, his lips brushing her ear. "Don't hold back. Let me hear your passion." He whispered seductively. She squeaked and then rewarded him with a passionate scream when he gave her another satisfying thrust. He shivered at the sound and moaned in her ear, inciting her.
A particularly hard thrust had Sakura digging her nails into Gaara's shoulders and a sharp gasp coming from her mouth that crescendoed into a scream. Gaara lifted his head to look down into her eyes as she trembled, her head thrown back in passion as she came undone in his arms. He watched for a few seconds, amazed, until he felt heat boil up from his balls and suddenly burst like an overfilled balloon. Taken by surprise, he gasped and jerked forward, striking his head on her shower wall. He was dazed, but he felt too good to do more than just stand there and lean against her.
They both panted for several seconds before Gaara caressed her cheek. He then leaned back into the cool spray of the water, pulling out of her, and cooling off his overheated body. He proceeded to pick up her shampoo and got to work cleaning her, much to her amusement. When he'd lathered up her hair, he regarded it for a second before scrubbing it into his own hair. It smelled of fresh rain, so it wasn't too girly in his opinion. Once they'd rinsed that off, Gaara put her body wash between his palms and started lathering up her body while she combed conditioner into her shoulder length locks.
She noticed him regarding her hair before nuzzling her gently. "Gaara, do you like my hair better when it's longer or when it's shorter?" The only reason she'd been growing it out was because Sasuke had wanted her to have long hair. She hadn't cut it yet just in case she got a marriage proposal and the potential groom wanted her to have long hair. She noticed him contemplating before he shrugged.
"Sakura, it's your hair. You should have it any way you want. Though I must admit it's very sexy being able to see your neck when you have the short hair style you had when you were sixteen." He leaned down more and ran his tongue over her neck. She shivered and giggled at him, enjoying this affectionate side to the normally stoic man. She pulled back slightly and washed the conditioner from her hair, allowing his hands to roam her body while she did.
When she was done, she turned and smiled at him, pushing him under the cool spray of water. She then poured a fair amount of her scentless body wash into her palm and started running her hands over his body, cleansing away the dirt and grime of the day. He groaned as her hands roamed his naked form, lingering on his biceps, pectorals, abs, and rear-end. He blushed slightly as she gave his ass a short squeeze before she stood up on her tiptoes and kissed him, enjoying the feel of him in her hands.
Sakura was blushing but smiling as she stood in front of the mirror in her bathroom. Gaara was in her bedroom, putting on his formal wear, while she was primping in the bathroom. She'd dried and styled her hair, putting several trinkets in it that she was sure would draw his attention. She then started on her makeup. She put on her foundation, enjoying how it felt like nothing was there.
She then put on rouge colored eye color with a deep purple accent, making her green eyes really pop. Black eyeliner and mascara finished up her eyes. She then brushed her teeth and applied a deep berry colored lipstick. She smiled and then reached for the dress she'd allowed Gaara to pick out for her. It came to just above her knees, showing off her shapely calves.
It was the same shade of white as his formal robes, surprising since Sakura wasn't a big fan of white, and the same crimson shade as his hair. It was a haltertop style, the halter part consisting of a large red silky looking ribbon attached to the white material and then wrapping down around her waist twice to form a large red bow on her back, right above her shapely ass. To complete the outfit, she'd pulled out a shoebox marked 'Special Occasion' that Ino had given her two years ago. When she had the dress on, she grabbed the box and sat on her toilet.
She opened it slowly and smiled at the ruby red shoes that matched her dress perfectly. She slipped them on and admired the modest two inch strappy heels. She looked in the mirror and smiled; she enjoyed being able to dress up like this for someone. At that thought she sobered. Gaara had a bride candidate waiting for him tomorrow morning. This was a onetime thing. Sadness gripped her heart but she vowed to make this night memorable. With that in mind, she walked out of the bathroom to see Gaara trying to adjust his robes so that they laid right overtop his clothes.
She walked up behind him and adjusted something on the back, making the entire robe lie down obediently. She smiled at him over his shoulder and she noticed the warmth in his eyes as he gave a tiny smirk back. She giggled and shook her head as he turned around to get a good look at her. She noticed his eyes widen in shock as he took in her appearance. She giggled again and winked at him as he looked her up and down before leaning in and nuzzling her. She moaned very softly before looking at him adoringly.
"We'd better head over to the Tower. I'd hate for you to be late." Her voice was soft and alluring. Gaara was mesmerized by it and nodded, not even thinking of putting up a fight when she spoke to him so seductively. She smiled and took his hand, leading him to the door. She picked up her clutch purse and a black lightweight wrap, draping it around her shoulders. She then walked out, Gaara following behind her. She locked the door once they were both out and then turned to him. She blushed when he offered her his arm and took it with a shy smile. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the beginnings of a smile on his lips as he noticed her shyness. He leaned down and kissed her lightly on the lips before they both headed to the banquet at the Hokage Tower.
Sakura noticed the attention she and Gaara attracted as soon as they walked into the door. More than half the room turned when Gaara was announced, just to see who he'd brought with him. There were many envious glares sent her way by kunoichi and civilian alike. But she didn't miss the glares from several shinobi and civilian men sent Gaara's way either. She blushed and tightened her hold on his arm. He noticed and looked over at her. As if to protect her, he dropped his arm to her waist and led her to their seats, which were at the same table where Tsunade and Naruto were.
Sakura sat down in the chair Gaara pulled out for her and smiled up at him, her eyes soft. She noticed a tiny blush, indiscernible unless you knew the Kazekage well, and she felt herself reacting to his blush. She bit her lip and took a deep breath. She really needed to calm down. She watched him sit beside her and gave a small squeak when he put his hand on her thigh, right above the knee. She could feel the small tremors going through his body to his hand.
She looked over at him and noticed that he was unusually pale and looked very uncomfortable. Her eyes widened as she realized just how much he didn't want to be here. But because Naruto was his best friend, he came to support the next blonde Hokage. She closed her eyes and smiled, putting her hand on top of his. Out of the corner of his eyes, Gaara was staring at her. When she opened her eyes, she turned understanding emeralds to him and he felt himself relaxing.
He sat at her side, even when several young women approached and tried to persuade him to mingle with them. She politely declined several offers to mingle as well, knowing he'd feel uncomfortable were she to leave. When dinner was served, both let out sighs of relief. They looked at one another as they heard a similar sigh from the other and Sakura giggled while Gaara barely smirked. But Sakura saw it and knew it for what it was.
The meal was eventful, to say the least. Naruto had excitedly proclaimed the meal to be heavenly, making the staff blush, and then proceeded to stuff himself with all the great kinds of food provided. Only a small scene had occurred, in which Ino got up in Temari's face over Shikamaru and said things to the older blonde that had brought blushes to many faces. The Konoha kunoichi had finally been dragged away by Kiba, who'd used a rather strange hold on Ino to get her out. If the two weren't lovers before, they would be after that.
Gaara seemed embarrassed by the whole situation but said nothing. After the meal came the dancing. Sakura looked out over the dance floor longingly, but would never insist on Gaara dancing with her. He seemed very uncomfortable with the idea. She blushed when her old sensei, Kakashi, walked up and held out his hand. "May I have this dance, Sakura?" Sakura looked at Gaara, who stared at Kakashi long and hard before looking at her and giving a slight nod. She smiled and nodded, standing to her feet.
Sakura laughed at her sensei as he told her things that had been happening on his two man missions with Naruto lately. Though the blonde was loud and bubbly in the village and on non-covert missions, he'd improved greatly over the years at keeping his mouth shut when needed. Sakura felt a tap on her shoulder in the middle of the second dance with her teacher and looked over her shoulder to see who it was. She gasped in surprise to see Gaara standing there, his hand out in invitation.
She looked at her teacher and excused herself from his hold in order to take Gaara's hand. Her eyes widened when he pulled her tightly against him and slowly began to move over the floor. She knew he felt uncomfortable with this, so why was he doing it? She watched him closely as he leaned in towards her, his eyes holding hers effortlessly. "I do not want any other man to touch you." He whispered to her, making her gasp. She stared up at him until the song ended. When it did, she was startled to hear Naruto's voice over the loud speaker.
"Welcome and thank you all for coming to the banquet tonight." He laughed and waved as people yelled his name. "Well, as you all know, this banquet is to celebrate my nomination as the next Hokage." A roar went up and Naruto pumped his fist into the air in typical Naruto fashion. He then smiled wider, if that was possible. "We also have a few other announcements to make. Nara Shikamaru will be marrying Temari of Sunagakure in order to strengthen our bonds with them." A cheer went up as the happy couple went up on stage and waved…well, at least Temari was smiling and waving.
Naruto shook his head and grinned. "Also, two members of the prestigious Hyuuga family will be marrying this fall. Hyuuga Neji has proposed to his longtime teammate, Tenten." Another cheer, which resulted in the couple being pushed forward and up onto the stage. Both were blushing fiercely, the brunette male growling slightly at the upcoming Hokage. "And, Hyuuga Hinata will be marrying as well in late August." He smiled and held out his hand. Hinata blushingly stepped up onto the stage and took his hand. The entire assembly gasped in shock as Naruto kissed the side of her head.
Even Sakura was shocked. She hadn't seen that coming. Hinata was so sweet and so quiet, whereas Naruto was so lewd and so loud. Clapping despite her shock, she watched as Naruto suddenly turned his gaze to her, making her gulp. "And one more very important announcement." His smirk got even more devious then. "The Kazekage has decided on a bride from this village." Sakura felt her heart plummet. Gaara had told her that wouldn't be decided until after the banquet. What had happened to change that? She looked over at Gaara, who wrapped his arm around her.
"Our good friend the Kazekage came here initially with the intentions of picking one of the bride candidates presented by the Council. However, it seems he's pickier than we'd accounted for, because he refused all forty-three candidates." Sakura gasped and looked over at Gaara, who was still locking eyes, and wills, with Naruto. "Kazekage-sama approached me only a short time ago and announced he'd found his bride on his own." Naruto's eyes then slid to Sakura, who gasped and looked over at Gaara, who was also staring at her.
"And the Kazekage's choice of bride is none other than Haruno Sakura!" Sakura's emerald eyes widened and she stood there, speechless. She kept looking between Naruto and Gaara; the former just grinned insanely at her while the latter just waited for her to answer the rather informal proposal. He leaned in and whispered to her, deciding to help her out.
"This is the part where you say yes." He informed her with a teasing note in his voice. Sakura jerked her head to look over at him before she felt tears welling up in her eyes. She threw herself into his arms with a sobbed 'yes' and proceeded to kiss him senseless right in front of everyone. As she kissed him, her happiness skyrocketed. She'd started this day amazed that someone like Gaara could care for her. Now, she was amazed how she didn't see just how much he loved her.
P.S. I am not perfect, so if you spot any mistakes, let me know so I can correct them. I read over this 4 times before I decided my eyes hurt to much to continue.