Disclaimer: Sis didn't own Naruto, only her story plots and her OCs.

10—Knight in Shining Armor

Sakura blushed as she felt Gaara's hard body against her own. Her brain didn't want to function. She knew that Gaara wanted her. And if truth be told, she wanted him too; and not just physically either. Gaara made her feel loved…something even her own parents didn't make her feel. She sighed and leaned against him. She wanted to be with him, every minute of every day. She wanted him to make her smile, to make her feel like she mattered. She looked up at him, her emotions plain in her eyes. She noticed his eyes darken and he leaned down, brushing his lips against hers.

She blushed, but allowed him to kiss her. She snuggled into his arms as they swayed to the music. She had all but forgotten all her problems…that is, until she felt Gaara stiffen against her. She looked up at him and then over her shoulder to see what he was glaring at. His eyes were hard and cold. She gasped and pressed even closer to him when she saw Sasuke standing there, glaring at them. She started trembling and she buried her face against Gaara's chest.

Gaara looked down when he felt her trembling. Why was she so scared of Sasuke? It was true he could be intimidating, but…he looked over at Hinata, who was biting her lip and then at Neji, who was being held back by his girlfriend, Tenten. Gaara read something in Neji's eyes that said he wanted to beat the living crap out of Sasuke. He turned his cold eyes back to the youngest Uchiha and glared. He wrapped his arms around Sakura, which made Sasuke growl.

His ears pricked when he heard Ino's voice. "What's he doing here? After what he did to Sakura, he has a lot of nerve showing up at the school dance." Gaara stiffened. What had Sasuke done to Sakura? Had he hurt her? Had he put his hands on her? No…if that were the case, then he'd be in jail. So what had happened? Gaara growled low in his throat and put Sakura behind him.

"Stay away from her Uchiha." He growled. Sasuke's glare went from Sakura to him in little to no time. He sneered and looked at Sakura. Gaara felt her shudder and a small, frightened sob came from her. That was all it took to set Gaara off. He lunged at Sasuke, who looked surprised. He'd never imagined that Gaara would attack him at a school function. The faculty volunteers made a fuss, but they were stopped by someone, apparently the head volunteer.

"You can't interfere in this. This has to be settled between the two of them or it will just continue until someone gets seriously hurt." The other adults stared at him, but Gaara silently thanked him. This was the go ahead he'd needed in order to keep Sasuke from messing with Sakura. Gaara felt satisfaction as his fist crashed into the side of Sasuke's face, a sickening crack telling all present that he'd dislocated the Uchiha's jaw. He was about to do more, but soft hands pulled on his arm. He looked back to see Sakura standing there, tears in her eyes, shaking her head.

"Even if he did break into my house and scare me, hurting him isn't going to change it. Please…stop…" she begged him. He regarded her for a few moments and then lowered his arm. He'd never do anything to hurt Sakura and he knew that violence bothered her. She was such a gentle person. He gasped and went to his knees as Sasuke took the chance to punch him in the ribs. Sakura cried out and then there was a resounding smack. Everyone stared on, even Gaara, as Sasuke reeled back and landed on his butt. Sakura's hand was throbbing, she had tears in her eyes, and it was obvious she'd just slapped the shit out of Sasuke.

Sasuke looked up at her in surprise as she cried and stared down at him. There was anger on her face. "Stay away from Gaara-kun and stay away from me. I hate you! Treating me like I'm an object and not a person! I have feelings too." She sobbed and then went to her knees as she covered her face. Gaara was at her side instantly and he kissed her temple, telling her everything would be alright.

Sasuke tried getting to his feet, but for some reason, he was having a hard time standing up and staying that way. He reeled from her slap more effectively than he did from Gaara's punch. He sat there, shaking his head. He heard something and looked over to see Naruto standing there. He was surprised when there was no warmth in those blue eyes…no sign of friendship. "You should leave, Sasuke. Hinata told me what happened. You've taken this too far. I can't be friends with a guy that's willing to hurt women." Sasuke stared in shock. He'd never heard Naruto speak with such conviction.

Sasuke stood, with the help of one of the volunteers, and was escorted out. Naruto and Hinata hurried to Sakura's side as Gaara held her. She sniffled but then smiled up at them. "I'm alright now. I'm sorry; I didn't mean to make a scene." Gaara caressed her face gently and kissed her on the forehead.

"You have nothing to apologize for, Sakura." Gaara whispered to her. Naruto nodded, as well as Hinata. Sakura smiled and allowed Gaara to help her to her feet. It was then that Neji and Tenten joined them, the former looking at Sakura with a certain degree of respect.

"Remind me not to piss you off, Sakura. Your slap was more effective in rattling Uchiha's brains than Sabaku's punch." Sakura giggled, despite the sniffles she was trying to calm.

"Well, Sempai, I did learn from the best." Neji chuckled, knowing that Sakura was referring to Hinata's mother, who had a mean right hook and could slap errant children or husbands into next week. Hinata and Neji both laughed while Gaara handed Sakura some tissues. She dabbed at her eyes and wiped her nose delicately. She smiled up at him and hugged him tightly.

As the commotion died down and things settled out, the dance resumed. Gaara held Sakura close, occasionally kissing her on top of the head. She smiled and just rested against him. He was warm and muscular and just oh so delightful. She closed her eyes and started humming. She felt him shift to look down at her and she smiled for him, letting him know she was still with him.

She felt his arms tighten around her before he spoke. "Sakura…what happened between you and Sasuke? Why didn't you tell me?" She sighed and looked up at him. There was sadness in her eyes.

"Sasuke was in the tree outside my window several nights ago. He broke the glass out trying to get to me. I locked myself in the bathroom and because I'd pushed the heavy oak cabinet in front of the door, he couldn't get to me." She bit her lip and looked away. "I called Hinata and she brought her father and Neji over. Sasuke was gone when they got there, but Hiashi said that whoever was behind it had meant to do more than just break in." She swallowed through the lump in her throat. She felt him tense, but that was all he did. She closed her eyes, trying to steady her breathing. She was still terrified by the thought.

"The reason I didn't tell you is the reason I didn't tell anyone. I didn't want people knowing that my parents didn't care about me enough to come home once they'd found out I'd been attacked." She looked away, ashamed. She felt the stillness in him and let out a shuttering breath. "Hiashi was appalled when my parents refused to return when he called them. I think he's known for a while that my parents are…different." She sniffled and dabbed at her eyes once more.

She felt a rumble in his chest and looked up, noticing his eyes were darker. She put her hand against his chest and he looked at her like she was the only thing in the world he cared for. She smiled at him. "My parents may not make me feel loved, but I find it in other places. Hianta and her family accept me where I am and love me for who I am. Ino and her family are the same. And you…" She blushed and looked down once more. She felt his finger under her chin and lifted her eyes to his, knowing that's what he wanted.

"What about me?" His whisper made her blush more and she blinked…a truly innocent seduction. He couldn't help himself as he leaned down and brushed her lips with his. It was light, warm and exactly what Sakura needed. She gasped and leaned into him.

"You make me feel loved; like as long as I'm with you nothing else matters." She confessed to him without even thinking about the repercussions should her parents find out. She heard him growl before seizing her lips in a sizzling kiss. She sighed with pleasure and just leaned into him, forgetting about everyone and everything except him.

"Sakura…" He whispered into her mouth as he kissed her. She shivered lightly, her name from his lips making her feel like the only person in his life. She gave a low whimper before she whispered something in his ear.

"I love you…" She noticed his eyes flare with something and then he pulled her even tighter against him. Their dance slowed so that they were only swaying gently but they were staring into one another's eyes…like lovers would.

He leaned down and whispered something against her cheek and she closed her eyes as she trembled against him. He loved her. He didn't just show her this time, he told her. Told her how much he loved her. How happy she made him. How much he wanted to be with her day and night. She wrapped her arms around his neck and they stared into each other's eyes with all the pent up love they felt.

They didn't even notice as people began leaving. It was nearly ten and people were starting to clear out. But they didn't notice. The only thing they noticed was each other. When the music finally stopped, they looked around. Only Naruto and Hinata remained. The other couple looked as equally entranced. Sakura laid her head on his chest and sighed. "I don't want this night to end." She whispered. She heard him purr in agreement. "I feel so safe with you…" She looked up at him and he smirked. She giggled and looked over to see Hinata and Naruto getting ready to leave.

"Hey, Gaara, why don't you and Sakura come with us over to Kiba's? He's putting on an after party. It'll be fun!" Hinata was giggling and looked over at Sakura, who was nervously biting her lip. She gave her friend a shy look.

"Neji-nii and Tenten-sempai are already there, Sakura. Where our escort goes…" The Hyuuga girl trailed off and Sakura eagerly picked it back up.

"We too must go. Hinata you're a genius!" She hugged Gaara tightly and allowed him to kiss her again. She was so happy right at this moment.