Chapter 7 : Can I keep it ?
"What do you think ?" I asked him as I turned around in the dress I would wear after the ceremony .
"You look stunning …" he smiled running his hands down my sides . The dress was a princess dress that fit me perfectly . Our reception we decided was going to be a Halloween party since it was only three days away from the real Halloween . Itachi was going to have on a matching prince's costume too …all in all I was going to get my dream day tomarow . I was going to get my fairy tale ending and I would get to live happily ever after with the man I loved most in the world … or at least I think so ….
Not that I would admit to anyone that something was wrong ..but ever since the company Halloween party I was not thinking about soon to be future … I was thinking about my past … And I saw finally that everyone had been right . And I had been an idiot .
"You better get changed ..we have to leave for the church soon …" he whispered in my ear . I shook my head still in thought and then pulled away . I walked over to the closet and pulled the dress over my head . I hung it on its hanger and then stared at the white dress hanging next to it . Itachi and I had decided no to do things the traditional way … We had decided after much debating that we would have a Christian wedding instead of a traditional Japanese ceremony .
I smiled at the dress and then pulled it out to look at it . It was a long sleeve floor length dress that had very little done to it . But it made me look like an angel .
[TIME SKIP]
"Sakura ..are you alright ...you seem really really distant .." Laura asked me as we waited outside for Suna to bring the car around . We were going to celebrate my bachloret party tonight and I was still lost in my thought .
"Yeah I'm fine ..just a lot on my mind …" I laughed lightly . Laura had turned out to be a extremely pretty girl and was just starting to do really well in school . She and the others were living with Takashi and a few of our distant relatives . Which every single one of them was coming to see me for my wedding and I couldn't have been more happy . At least I thought so …
"Come on girl ! Wake up ! YOUR party is tonight …you cant let Itachi have all the fun !" Laura exclaimed breaking my thoughts completely . I looked at her and smiled weakly ."I know ." I stated running my hand through my hair . Then a car horn honked making me jump as a limo drove up to the front of the church . I gaped at it and smiled looking from it to Laura . "Oh my gosh you didn't !" I exclaimed hugging her tightly .
"I did …" she smiled at me . "Well get in .." she urged breaking free from me . I walked over to the black wehicle and opened the door . "SURPRISE!"
I looked around the inside of the car in surprise and noticed that it had everyone from Hinata to Temari . I felt like I was going to cry and I was greeted with "Aww..don't cry …" I rubbed my eyes and smiled through happy tears as I replied "You guys are the best …"
"We know …" Ichigo replied pulling me into the car . Laura pulled herself in next to me and then tapped on the glass . The car began to pull away and I smield at everyone in the car .
"Alright Ladies … we go over the scheduel !" LAura exclaimed quieting everyone .
"First thing on the list … clothes !" she squeeled . I smiled at her and then thought of how she had changed so much . Her quiet personality was gone replaced with a energetic vibrant person .
"Sakura … words of wisdom from someone who knows what shes talking about … marriage is a great thing …just on your wedding night don't let him get too drunk …" Temari winked at me . I felt my face flush and I smiled back at her .
"Yes Sakura I can not believe your going to get married before me … I must say I'm a little jelous ." Hinata giggled . "Naruto has been stalling a little … but mostly because of my father ." she laughed . I smiled at her and then looked at Tenten " So how are you and Neji ?" I asked refuring to her off again on again boyfriend who was part of the company bored .
"Ahhh.. As moody as ever .." she giggled .
[TIME SKIP]
"We look GOURGOUS !" Temari yelled as we walked into the crowded club . I had to admit too … we all did look pretty fabulous . All of us had gone out dress shopping much to the driver's dismay ..even though we never saw him . We of course had almost maxed out our credit cars but the thought never crossed our minds . I had bought a white off the shoulder dress with long flowing sleeves and a short end . While Temari has on a sexy black dress that screamed "Look at my curves!"and as did Tenten with a mini skirt dress that was the color of ivy . Hinata had gone the modest route with a short blue clubbing dress that had a coller that rapped around her neck and had an open back . As did Suna and Matsuri which both of which had become best friends in the short few hours we had been together and had decided on the same dress in different colors .It was a knee length dress that hugged their curves nicely . And then Ichigo had gone all out on hers and looked like it was more her party than mine with a empire waist mini dress with sparkles adorning every inch of the fabric . Ino smiled at me as she flicked her platinum blond hair over her exposed shoulders ."Come on girl you need to get your head out of the clouds …trust me marrage is not the worst thing for you ." she laughed intertwining her arm in mine and then smiling widly at me . We then walked past the large men at the door and through the wall of glittering strings that hung in the doorway . I felt numb as I thought about tomaorw . It seemed that now it was no longer not soon enough but TOO SOON . I sighed inwardly and then screamed mentally .
"Alright ! Theres our table !" Suna shouted pointing to a table were a mountain of different colored packages sat inviting me to come and open them . I stood and gauked at them as we all sat down at the table .
"Do you like them ?" LAura asked me as she fixed her dress.
I looked around at al the hopeful faces around the table and smiled "Yes of course I love them !" I exclaimed looking around everyone .
"Well then lets start opening ! I need to get my party on !" Tenten exclaimed fist pumping . I laughed at her inthusiasm and then turned my attention to the pile of gifts and asked "Which one first ?"
They laughed and then Ichigo piped up "Mines the green and purple one ." She motioned to a well wrapped purple box with a green ribbon on top .
"Oh and word to the wise … these presents are NOT like the ones at the bridal shower ." Matsuri smiled looking around at the others . I shook my head and undid the ribbon on the top carfully and then began to un wrap it . As I tore the paper off I noticed it was a victoria sercret box . I looked up at Ichigo and smiled . I opened th box and pulled out a very sexy pokadot baby doll apron with matching underwear and a pair of extremely high black heals . I looked up at her and laughed "You're the best Ichigo .."
"Mine next please !" Tenten begged . I reached up and got down a bright orange one and shook it …As I tore the paper off something inside rang . I looked at her puzzled and then tore it open underneath the large amount of paper was a bored and in the middle was a plastic bottel that was flashing .
"Spin the Bottle …Truth or Dare .." I read aloud and beamed at her as I laughed ."Were did you fine it I thought they discontinued these things after we were in high school ?" She smiled at me sheepishly and then said laughing "Well you know when you shop like I do you find things …" I laughed again and then picked up a silver package with a feather bow on the top . I didn't even have to look at the fancy cursive to know that it was from Ino . I gave her a look and she smiled winking at me . "Well go on open it silly !" she urged . I slipped off the ribbon and then tore it open . Inside there was MORE feathers and I ended up covered in them when I finally reached the bottom I stared at Ino with an exasused look on my face and asked "What did you kill an entire duck in order to fill this ?" She looked at me and crinkled up her nose as she smiled widely . I then reached past the last of the feathers and look inside . There before my eyes was a class picture from high school that I had always thought had been long since extinced . I looked at Ino and smiled like a lunatic .
"My god Ino ! You still kept it ! I always thought it was too embarrassing to keep !" I cried looking at the picture . In the picture we had dressed up like prostotuts and had convinced the guys to dress like pimps . I laughed as I look at Sasuke's evil grin and Kiba's akward smile …and then at Garra's blushing face that he tried to hide behind the fur coat he was wearing . I smiled again and then noticed everyone was looking at me .
"S-sakura … are yyou crying ?" Hinata asked me touching my hand . I then notcied that in fact there were tears rolling down my face . I smiled at her and then brushed them away . "I just cant believe what great friends …and cousins I have .." I lied smiling at them . They all cooed and Laura handed me a napkin to dry my eyes with . I smiled weakly and then leaned back in my chair picking up the next present .
A half an hour later when I had received all of my gifts We were out on the floor dancing away and I found it was beginning to get easier to forget my worries . For a little while Itachi … the wedding … Gaara … all disappeared from my thoughts . And then I found that nothing mattered .
"Sakura ! Sakura !" a voice yelled at me . I spun around in the middle of my trans and looked at the person . Under the neon lights of the dance floor I noticed the platinum blond hair shinning .
"What is it Ino ?" I asked leaning close so I could hear her replie .
"We need to talk !" she exclaimed back . I jumped and then she took ahold of my hand and dragged me back to the table were my gifts were skattered hap hazardly around . I sat down in my seat and Ino janked one up close to me .
"Alright kid … lets get smethings strait here … I'm your best friend right ?" she asked in a serious tone .
"Yes of course you are …" I replied puzzled .
"So will you get mad at me if I tell you something ?" she asked leaning towards me.
"Depends…." I replied studying her expression.
" Well I don't care really cause you'll get over it but … I think you're an ideot …" she stated shrugging her shoulders .I felt my eyes grow wide as I was at a loss for words .
"W-why?" I stuttered dumbstruck.
She smirked at me and then sighed" Cause honey … your going to walk away from the best thing that ever happened to you … and I don't want this decision to come back and haunt you later."
"Not this again ! … Ive told you all that I AM IN LOVE WITH ITACHI ! I admit I was stupid for not giving him a chance ! But I would have ended up breaking his heart anyway … Why does no one see that ?" I exclaimed screeching loudly.
"Because you two are odviously made for each other and …"
"NO! No… we arent ..we never were and I wish you would all just shut up about something I cant change !" I cried tears pouring out of my eyes .
"Sakura…" Ino began but I didn't stick around to hear the rest of her thought. I raced through the heavy crowed of people and found the exit the tears falling heavily from my eyes . As I got outside I let the cold night air cool my skin as I walked hastily past the people outside and down the street to the club parking . The limo sat silent and dark in the lot and I couldn't seem to get to it fast enough . I rapped on the window with my nuckles and watched as the tinted window slid down to reveal the dark inside of the car .
"Yes …" the driver asked me . I smiled meakly at him through tears and asked " Do you think that you could unlock the back please ?" He was silent for a moment before he said "You've been crying …"
I stood frozen for a second and then replied "Yes …I have …" I bit my lip at how pathetic it sounded and turned away blushing . "Your still crying .." he sighed .
"…I …I" I began but then he cut me off .
"Why don't you come sit with me ?" he asked me.
" …Sure" I said with a small smile. I walked around the front of the limo and opened the side door and slipped inside. And for a split second before the overhead light went out I finally saw the driver. He wore a dark suit and a driver's hat that hid his face and hair from me.
"So can you tell me whats wrong ?" he asked me as he dug for something in his pocket . I sat silently and bit my lip.
"I don't know if I should …." I admitted.
"Why not ?… you have nothing to loose …I'm a complete stranger … anything you tell me wont make a difference." he challenged.
"Fine…" I sighed looking out the window as he light a cigarret. I hated smoking but again he was a complete stranger so I couldn't tell him to put it out.
"Well…?" he asked expectantly blowing smoke at the wind sheild .I looked at him again and then took a deep breath.
"Everyone decided that they would tell me last minuet that the person that I was dateing was the wrong person ! And that I was supposed to be wih my best friends but no one decided to tell me that ! And now I've relized that I am in fact in love with him ..but I wont ever admit it ! And that I'm getting married to the man that I thought held my heart but I don't know if I should go through with it ! Because … because I'm in love with Gaara." I sighed feeling the tears burn my eyes and letting them fall . I didn't care how strong I thought I was the truth was this … I was in love with Gaara …allways had been …but I was wrapped up in my own little world that I hadn't noticed it till now …Oh the irony.
"Well …that is a tough case indeed …" he said after a few moments of silence .
"No kidding …"I scoffed through tears.
"Well all I can tell you is that if he's really your friend then he'll push those feelings back and try to forget about it … but the question is …do you want him to?" he asked me .
"No! …But sorta … because I have such a great life with this other guy that I don't know if I could leave … I hate hurting him !" I cried .
"I'm sure that your friend wouldn't want you to be miserable … and would be happy whatever you choose" he replied
"Yeah right … you don't know him like I do … he's fragile …he doesn't seem it but he is … like a porcelain doll." I retorted scoffing.
"I think hes stronger than you think … and would hate to see you cry …"
I felt my eyes grow wide and looked at the driver.
"How would you know ?" I asked cautiously.
"Just guessing …" the driver said as he blew more smoke at the wind sheild . I coughed and waved the smoke out the crack in the window.
"Yeah right …" I hissed snatching the hat off his head . Then I wished that my guess hadn't been correct .
"Hi Sakura …" Gaara mumbled looking up at me intensly.
"You ! You ! I cant believe you !" I screeched opening the car door .I felt the anger rising in me as I stormed away from the limo.
"Sakura wait !" Gaara yelled after me as he chased after me . I tried in vain to escape but my white stiletto boots weren't making it easy.
"Sakura ! Wait a second !" Gaara exclaimed grabbing my wrist.
"No! I don't wanna hear it ! I cant believe you did that …" I hissed trying to wrench my hand free from his grip . But it was in vain as he clung to my wrist hard and gave me a cold stare.
"Listen will you .." he implored giving me a pleading look. I glared at him but still shook my head slightly for him to start explaining.
"I was just trying to help you … I didn't think that you would …say all that …" he stated sighing a light red tinting his cheeks. "I … well it doesn't matter what I want really but …"
"What …what is it ?"I asked relaxing my glare.
He sighed and then replied "Well … I … I just wanted to give you something ."
"What ?" I asked curiously.
"I wanted to give you … well it doesn't matter … I just don't hope you don't hate me now … I'm sure your wedding will be nice tomaorw …" he sighed letting my wrist go .He began to walk away again and I felt compelled to follow.
"Gaara … wait a second …" I sighed giving in. He stopped and then turned to face me .
"What is it ?" he asked turning to lean up against the brick side of a building .
"Don't …damn it ! Don't do that to me !" I excalimed loudly walking in front of him.
"Do what …?" he asked giving me a blank stare with his sky colored eyes.
"Guilt me ! You know I wanna know and you make me feel bad if I don't ask you outright … SO god dang it tell me what the hell you wanted to give me !" I sighed .
"I'll show you tomarow … but in the meantime I have a question …?" he stated changing the subject .
"And that would be ?" I asked "Wait ! Don't change the subject !" I exclaimed .
"If things were different …and things hadn't changed …" he pressed "Would you have picked me ?" I stood frozen for a few seconds and answered weakly. "Yes …" I replied quietly as the tears I had stocked heavily came pouring. My chest heaved and shook as the waterworks fell to the ground in a waterfall. But my sobs caught in my chest as I felt myself being pulled . I reacted slowly and didn't catch myself before I slamed awkwardly against something. My tears blurred my eyes but I could see well enough to relize what I had hit.
His arms were wrapped around me tightly and a dark blush painted my cheek. I felt my heartbeat rocket skyward as I looked up into his eyes.
"Please don't cry… I love you…please stop crying…" he whispered harshly in my ear. I felt my arms slip instinctively around him and then tried to pull away.
"No… cant you just let yourself have the thing that you always wanted…. Let yourself feel those feelings you really feel…." he whispered brushing his lips against my neck.
"I…I cant …" I choked and shivered as his lips made contact with my skin. Small shocks flew over my skin and I felt my knees go weak.
Have I ever felt this way ? With Itachi ? I asked myself.
"Uhhh… no..duh!" the small voice screeched from the dark ressess of my mind.
"I must have …" I argued.
"Umm that would be a no…promise." the voice replied sarcastically.
His lips traveled furthure up my neck and pressed gently against my cheek. His kisses slowly began to melt my self control. I tried one last time to stop him but my arms fell limp. His hands slowly began to dance lightly over my hips and I didn't resist.
"I wanna take you somewhere …" he whispered huskily licking my ear lightly. It sent shivers down my spine and I replied quietly "Okay…"
{Time Skip}
The swing set creaked loudly as the rusted chains swung in the wind. He sat next to me on an equally rusted one.
"Why did you bring me here?" I asked quietly. He stared into my eyes intensly and whispered quietly "I want to show what that promise we made ment to me… I wont stop you from marrying Itachi tomaorw but…I wanna show you just exactly what you mean to me…"he replied reaching into his pocket. He kept his hand closed and continued to talk."Do you remember that night …when I came to see you … the night I got hit by the car?"
I looked up at him and nodded slowly unsure of how to respond.
"Well… I was coming to tell you…that…"he stopped and his cheeks flared red.
"Gaara?" I asked touching his arm. " What did you wanna tell me ?"
"I-I….I …wanted to tell you that… damn!… why is it so hard to say…" he sighed exasperated running his pale hand through his hair.
I took his hand warmly and stared into his face "You can tell me anything…" I whispered.
He paused for a moment and sighed heavily."I was coming to tell you that … even though you were in love with Itachi… I was always going to love you… That I didn't want to wait to get married to you …that if you would have me … Id take you to the church right then and there… but the car knocked all ambition out of me…And I just gave up.." he explained solumly. I was frozen where I sat and an ache feeling in the pit of my stomach formed and I felt tears well in my eyes.
" I just wanted you to no that I still very much feel that way… and if you need somewhere to run to …ill be here… you'll probably be more likely to find me here actually… and I have something for you… im not as suave as your feiance but… right now he doesn't exist." He stated getting up. And through my tear filled eyes I saw a ring. Bright and sparkling in the street lamps clapsed in the pale paulm of his hand.
"Im not so good at what to say so I'll just say it. Its too little too late for it but… Sakura Hanuro will you marry me? I know very well you cant really say yes but … if everything were different would you ?" He asked and the trears poured down my face.
I stared at him and also stood, " Yes…yes I would have said yes…"I chocked out as he slide the ring on my finger. I felt something dangling and clasped it. It was a chain.
"I wore it on a chain every so often and where I wasn't wearing it I kept it in my pocket…" he explained. And one word caem to my mind and then all the words I wished I had had time to say came pouring out. Once I had finished I collapsed into a crying fit and I didn't remember much after that. At some poin the put me back in the car and we were driving back to the club.
"Gaara?" I asked quietly between sniffles.
"Yes?" he replied looking over at me .
"May I keep it?" I asked quietly running my fingers over the ring.
"That's why its yours…" He replied shortly. "I can't keep it… so you might as well have it …to remind you… every so often…" he sighed adjusting his hat and lighting up a cigaret.
"For not coming to your wedding…" he replied. I laughed a little and sighed " After that I don't expect you to talk to me… I was a loser and a jerk… and totally blind…" I sighed.
"I'm just telling you… as a friend I should come but …as a would be lover … I cant possibly… sorry." he muttered as we pulled up to the club. A fuming group of girls stood in the parking lot and they all filed into the car as they got in. "Don't forget …I love you Sakura…" he whispered. "I love you too …" I replied quietly.
At least I got to keep it.
SOOOO SRRY readers! I have been suupppeeerrr busy and have worked on other fanfic material for people. SOOO SRRY! The next one will come a whole lot sooner! Promise J
