Love Remains

Chapter Four

(I don't own Naruto or any of it's characters.)

It had been quite a few hours since Gaara had left the hotel earlier that afternoon and the sun was definitely getting ready to disappear beneath the horizon as magenta purples and the afterglow of orange were fading into a deep blue. Surprisingly, it was much clearer tonight than it had been the past couple of days he had been there. The stars were shining bright and the crescent moon was casting a faint shade of clear white over the area.

He was heading home from the bar where he stopped to have a couple drinks of scotch as he absent mindedly watched the football game that was on that seemed to have drawn a rather large crowd. The large group of fans grew louder with each and every drink they had and was the main reason he was on his way back to his room. He didn't work well with crowds, especially drunken crowds.

Gaara was much more than thankful to be sober enough to walk home other than pass out somewhere random again. The locals didn't like the fact that he had fallen asleep in the park and he wasn't about to relive that experience. Upon entering the house, he could clearly hear his siblings conversing as they rambled around upstairs. Temari was going on about the business party tonight with Shikamaru and Kankuro was grunting out a reply here and there, obviously uninterested about Shikamaru's success, but mostly on which eyes catching outfit he were to wear tonight in order to scam on some easy women.

He figured it would be best to tune them out and go to his bedroom and lay down until the bars cleared of the football crazed crowd, but as he was about to step on the first stair, his sister had mentioned a name.

"Oh! Sakura and I met up with each other today! It was just like the good ole days and it doesn't seem as though she hasn't changed a bit!" Temari exclaimed as she dug through her closest for something formal and classy.

"Ah! Is that so? She still single?" Kankuro was now focused on the new topic with a feral grin. He had thought Sakura was very appealing the moment he laid eyes on her and now with Gaara out of the way, he may have a chance. The brunette set to finding something that Sakura might find sexy.

Gaara's face grew red hot with anger and his hands tightened into fist, but he forced himself to remain planted at the bottom of the stairs.

"Well, she didn't say for sure, but she did say she would have a date for tonight." The blond shrugged a she pulled out a strapless, midnight blue, mermaid taffeta dress [photo located on profile]. "Perfect!" She grinned with satisfaction as she eyed the dress up and down as she held it in front of her. Temari laid it down on her bed and clapped her hands with joy. "Maybe Sakura has finally moved on, you know!"

"Man! I was hoping to get lucky with that little vixen!" He sighed and stomped sluggishly to the bathroom, but as he passed by his sister's room, he was greeted by one of her silver high heels.

The two were about to engage in a heated conversation of angered retorts about the said topic and the shoe imprint on his cheek when the slamming of the door downstairs stopped them in their tracks. Temari's face of pure disgust of her brother's words had turned into confidence as her famous sly smile slide over her lips. She threw the other shoe on her bed next to her dress and skipped past Kankuro to the bathroom. "I think it worked!" He smiled turned into a full blown grin and she slammed the bathroom door shut.

"I think so as well, but did you really have to hit me!"

o0o0o

Laughter filled her small house as they lay on her living room floor, speaking softly to one another. The red headed male laying at her side ran his long fingers through her silken hair and he leaned down to kiss her passionately. Sakura heated with the kiss. His lips were soft and the two worked well with each other as the kiss progressed, but before it could go on any longer, Gaara pulled away and tucked a few strands behind her ear.

"Can I ask you something?" His voice was so deep and calming that it had her heart pounding with anticipation of what he would say next. Nodding, she gave him a warm smile.

"Anything." She felt him shuffle a bit as he sat up. He seemed to be reaching into his pocket but it was so quick of an action that she had focused back on his face as he pulled her to sit as well. Gaara was shaking somewhat and she watched as he swallowed hard. His nervousness was making her nervous too, but it was rather a pleasant feeling. He pulled out small velvet covered box and she nearly burst into tears at what she thought could be happening at this moment.

"Sakura. I love you more than the air I breathe. Without you, I just wouldn't know what to do. Will you please, do me the honor of becoming my wife? My everything?" He was shaking more than before and his eyes bore into hers. Not being able to keep it in any longer, she threw herself at him, tears flowing freely now.

"Yes Gaara! Yes!" Not saying another word, he picked her up with ease and carried her up stairs to their bedroom.

ooo

Sakura blinked her eyes as she woke and turned quickly to look to her side. It was just a dream... Somehow it felt so different, so real. She had been having a dream very much similar, but it always descended into a horrible nightmare and had her ripping from her sleep with sorrowful tears covering her face and sobs racking her body. This time, it was almost magical, but was an exact replica of how that day had played out. It was almost as though she had gone back in time. Shaking her head, Sakura gave a shaky breath and got to her feet. The dream was definitely bothering her, but instead of an uneasy feeling filled with pain, she felt oddly pleasant.

The hot shower had felt amazing on her tense muscles and she wished she could have stayed in there for another hour, but the clock was ticking and she had barely an hour before she was expected to arrive at the occasion. She fixed her hair in a messy bun, with strands of curls framing her face. Her makeup was light, but complimented her look because she hardly ever wore the stuff. Eye liner, a small dab of blush, and a pink shade of lip gloss. Now all that she needed to complete her look was her dress. Walking to her closet, she pulled out the dress she and Temari had bought earlier today still in the dress bag. It was a black strapless knotted cocktail dress by Jasmine Di Milo. It was simple but formal in all-in-one. She slipped it on and smiled at herself in the mirror.

"I can actually say that I might turn a few heads tonight." Sakura fixed and smoothed out the dress and then put on her strappy black heels. After she made a few more finishing touches, she grabbed her purse and headed out the door.

o0o0o

The smoke filled atmosphere was beginning to become unnaturally familiar to the red head and he slammed his shot glass down on the bar, demanding another shot. The bartender knew him by name now these days and often gave Gaara shots for free when the bar wasn't hectic.

"Want to switch it up a bit? Got some real strong stuff in the back." The husky bartender asked with a grin as he was drying out the inside of a few glasses that were located at the sink drying.

He shrugged and rubbed a hand through his hair. "Why not." Gaara was beyond furious, but was slowly calming with the effects of the alcohol. Kankuro had set him off and Temari had made it worse as she mentioned Sakura had a date for tonight. Had she really moved on? He glared at the wood on the bar and then sighed. Why wouldn't she. He was the one who threw her away like she was nothing. I don't blame her if she had... But just the thought of another man having her for their self made his anger boil back up. A shot glass was placed in front of him and he looked up at the man.

"Something bothering you? You look a bit shaken'." The bartender chuckled deeply and went back to his cleaning as he awaited a reply.

Gaara again gave another shrug and downed the drink. It was strong and probably would have knocked him out of the bar stool if he wasn't already half way to being drunk. "I better call it a night..." He needed to get to that damned business party. He needed to see Sakura just one more time.

Slamming the glass down once more, he grabbed his jacket and exited the bar doors in less than ten seconds.

Yet another Chapter! I will try to get more uploaded a swiftly as possibly! (busy, busy schedule for the holiday!)

Also, I want to thank my only two reviewers! miikodesu and Cindy Medeiros. Every little bit pushes me forward!

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