Summary: She knew this was a bad idea. After her breakup with Sasuke, why should running into another man's arms help her? Although this was the fix she just so desperately needed.

A/N: If there are any Sasuke fans out there, I must warn you that this story will not end in his favor.

Also, I love this fandom. You guys are so supportive of me even when I may not be satisfied with my story/chapter. Thanks so much for being patient and sticking this out with me.

Rated M.

In Your Arms

"Options"

If there was anything Sakura hated more… it was the fact that she had zero options. Itachi told her about the underground Mafia Ring without giving her any details. Why was it so dangerous? Why did he not want Sasuke figuring any of this stuff out? Is it because it's FBI work? There were so many questions that he didn't want to answer even when she asked.

It also seemed like he was following her around without actually making it obvious. She would see him at the supermarket, the movies when she and Gaara went for their second date… literally everywhere. But she couldn't prove it or point it out to Gaara. He was growing suspicious of her whenever she seemed distracted. She hated not telling him. So why didn't she just man up and do so?

Ino snapped her fingers in front of Sakura's eyes when she realized her best friend was out of it. "Forehead girl you seriously need to just either tell Gaara about what happened or get Sasuke fired."

Sakura looked up from her glass and sighed. "I can't do that… it wouldn't be fair to Sasuke no matter how badly he hurt me. I am not petty."

The blond shrugged and turned her attention towards the TV. "I don't know; it seems to be the only option you may have. Itachi isn't going to leave you alone otherwise."

Before Sakura could reply, her doorbell rang and she stood to go answer it. She wasn't quite expecting to see Gaara on the other side of her door but she was happy nonetheless. He handed her a bouquet of a dozen roses. Red to be exact. Everything he did seemed to make her heart beat a million times faster inside of her chest.

"You're so sweet." Sakura allowed him inside and closed the door, going into the kitchen so she could find a vase for her flowers. This was it, she was going to have tell Gaara what was happening. But she needed to get rid of Ino first.

Though Ino was already on her way out without even being told to go. "Sai and I are meeting for a movie. I think…" She smiled and tightened her grip on her purse, "I think things are going really well. Maybe even considering keeping him around."

Sakura was standing in the hallway, placing the vase of flowers onto the table just a little ways in front of her door. "That's great Ino-pig, I'm really happy for you. We should all go on a double date sometime."

Ino gave her a look. "If you can even keep your relationship, bye forehead!" With those last words, the blond was gone.

Sakura sighed and looked at the empty spot her friend was just standing in a minute before. Gaara looked at her. "What did she mean by that?"

The pinkette thought to herself. It's now or never… you have to tell him what's going on. It's not like it's something terrible.

"I have something to tell you Gaara."

He gave her a curious look but didn't say anything in response. Instead, he leads her back into the living room and sat down; waiting for her to explain herself. She had been acting weird for the last couple of days so he assumed she was finally ready to let him know what was going on.

She sat down beside him and took his hand, leaning over to kiss his cheek. "Itachi came to me a couple of days ago, telling me that he works for the FBI and he's working on a case that Sasuke is also trying to figure out. Apparently it's too dangerous for him to continue and Itachi wishes for me to tell his boss that he's sleeping with his wife."

It seemed like an eternity before Gaara replied. "You're worried about that? You've made me wonder for days what the hell was wrong…" The male sighed and closed his eyes, running a hand through his hair. "You don't think it's right do you? Well I am not taking anyone's side in this. The decision is entirely up to you."

"I know that Gaara—wait, what?"

He looked at her. "I said it's your decision, I will not sway you either way. Do what you think is right-" Gaara placed two fingers on her chest, where her heart would be. "In here. No one can know but you."

When he removed his fingers, her hand replaced them and she blushed; thinking of what she should even say next. Why did he have to be so damn smart? And right about the situation?

"Thank you… I know I have a lot of options but maybe I should try contacting Itachi again to get more information. I can't just go into this blind."

Gaara felt his lips twitch but he didn't smile, instead he pulled her into his arms and placed a small kiss on top of her head. "You'll know what to do in time."

Then he released her so he could stand. "I'm going to leave, I'll see you tomorrow?"

Sakura hesitated before answering and grabbed his wrist. "Don't leave… stay with me? Tonight?"

His look of surprise made her cheeks burn in embarrassment. "I-I meant only to sleep here in the same bed… not in that way…"

She still wasn't ready for… that. Gaara was still shocked at her question but it slowly left his face and he grabbed her hand; pulling her with him towards her bedroom.

This was a start to something much more intimate and he would be fine with that. He wouldn't push her to do anything she wasn't ready for. No matter how much he wished she was.

Waking up to Gaara lying beside her was definitely something she'd have to get used to. Plus, his shirt was off, she nearly had a heart attack until he reassured her that he got hot in the middle of the night. Sakura was just so nervous and didn't want to give in until she was sure they were serious or something along those lines.

Maybe she was being ridiculous. Gaara had loved her for a long time but she didn't want to rush anything. After all, she had other things to worry about instead of her sex life.

She managed to get ahold of Itachi the next day, though he wasn't particularly pleased with her for contacting him directly. Sakura demanded answers, he wasn't just going to get her to ruin Sasuke's career for nothing. She needed to know what the hell was wrong with that case.

Turns out Itachi and Sasuke were investigating the Akatsuki. Itachi had been hiding in the shadows with them for years—getting friendly, taking names, finding out their locations—their plans. He was almost done with getting them caught and arrested but his little brother's involvement would put a halt in his plan.

Sasuke was in danger and he didn't even know it.

This helped Sakura make her decision. Even though the Uchiha didn't deserve any form of her sympathy, she couldn't bring it upon herself to allow him to get hurt. She would feel guilty. So she did what anyone else—or so she hoped—would do. She went to his boss.

There was only one problem: his boss didn't believe her.

Now she was sitting in her living room, snuggled up with Gaara wondering what she should do. She already informed Itachi and he told her that she would need to get proof before she went and tried anything stupid like that.

"Gaara."

Gaara looked towards her as she laid her head in his lap, his fingers running through her hair. "What is it?"

The pinkette was silent for a moment. "We have to get a picture of Sasuke and Karin together but I don't want to do this."

"Why not get Ino to do it? She was already pushing for you to get him into trouble anyway right? She's also quite the gossip queen… she'd be able to have her intel get it for you."

Sakura rose an eyebrow. "How the hell do you know about any intel?"

Instead of answering her, he turned his attention back towards the TV to let her glare at him. He wasn't going to tell her how he knew of the stuff her best friend did—it would be better if she didn't butt into his business but he knew his girlfriend by now.

"Don't question things Sakura, just take the damn advice." He growled at her irritably, though he wasn't annoyed with her. He just wished she would stop bullshitting around for once and do what she needed to.

Sakura huffed and stood up, leaving the red haired male by himself. "Sakura…" She didn't even bother to stop, instead she slammed her bedroom door closed and locked it. Glaring at nothing in particular, she kicked at her carpet.

Asshole. Even though he is right… he didn't have to be like this.

Taking out her cellphone, she pulled up her contacts and the photo of Ino popped up. It was when they took their trip to a beach; which was quite beautiful. She and the blond had been friends for so long… she wondered what she would do without her.

Pressing the call button, Sakura placed the phone onto her ear and waited. After a few rings, her best friend finally answered. "Hey forehead! How's it going?"

"Hey Ino I need you to do me a favor."

Ino paused. "What is it?"

Inhaling a deep breath, she explained the situation. "I need a picture of Sasuke and Karin… you think you could get it for me?"

"So you finally told the big man huh? Didn't believe you? Hell yeah, I can get that photo for you. The only thing I ask in return—"

Sakura interrupted her. "I'm not letting you see Gaara naked."

"I only asked for that once! Anyway, no… I want you and Gaara to come on a double date with me and Sai. How's that sound?"

"Yes Ino-pig… I gotta go. Talk to you later!"

Ino said her goodbyes and they both hung up. Sighing, the pinkette leaned her head back on the door and nearly jumped when she heard Gaara knock on the other side. She was silent when she heard him call out to her. "Go away."

"I'm sorry Sakura, can you please let me in?"

Biting her bottom lip, the pinkette gave in and unlocked the door; thrusting it open to see him on the other side with a soft smile hanging on his lips. She couldn't help but return it, especially when he reached forward and caressed her cheek. His touch was so soft, as if he thought she would disappear under his fingertips.

"I'll always be here for you Sakura." He told her before placing his lips upon hers gently. Returning his kiss, she wrapped her arms around his neck and sighed softly.

This was enough to let her know that this man who was kissing her was definitely going to be her rock. And she was okay with that.