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

13—A New Beginning

It was awkward for Sakura to stay at the Hyuuga house without Hinata there. Hiashi had called in to the school and informed them that while Sakura's parents were 'out of town' that he and his wife would be caring for her. That meant they were responsible for all her medical and financial issues until her parents returned. They'd also informed them that Sakura had been injured and would not be coming to school the rest of the week. It was Tuesday.

She was in the library, reading, when the doorbell rang. She arched a brow as it rang again, and then a third time. On the fourth, she got up and went to the door. She opened it and stared in shock. Before her was Gaara, and he looked furious. She flinched when he stepped towards her and he froze. She could see his jaw working as he slowly reached out and took her chin between two fingers.

He turned her head so that he had full view of the nasty, dark bruise on the side of her face. She noticed his eyes narrow and he slowly withdrew his hand. He stepped closer to her, leaned in close, and gently kissed the bruised area. She blushed slightly and looked at him shyly. She didn't know what to say to him. She was pretty sure he already knew that her father had been the one to strike her. Naruto wouldn't have kept that a secret…not from Gaara.

"Does it hurt much?" He asked gently as he ran his fingers over her jaw and up into her hair. She shook her head slightly and looked at him, her eyes wide. He closed his eyes and leaned in so their foreheads were touching. She sighed and closed her eyes, leaning into the warmth and comfort he offered. He kissed her lightly on the bridge of her nose and brushed his fingers through her hair. She felt contentment ease her tensed muscles and she just melted into him.

She heard him murmuring things and she giggled. He had a habit of just mumbling things to himself that she couldn't understand, but she had figured out they were always about her. She noticed him running his fingers over the small of her back and she bit her lip to keep from moaning. She was pleasantly surprised when he brought up his hand and there were six purple tulips in plastic. She smiled happily and moved so she could kiss him on the lips.

He accepted the kiss eagerly and groaned when she opened her mouth to accept him. He pulled back, panting, and stared deep into her eyes. "How long are you staying here?" He asked. She knew he was wondering if they'd make her go back to the man who'd abused her. She reached out and caressed his strong jaw tenderly.

"Hiashi-sama won't allow me to go home until my parents get counseling. They packed up most of my room and brought it with them yesterday." She noticed his eyes flash before he closed them, trying to reign in his temper. She smiled and kissed him lightly on the lips. "Thank you, Gaara-kun." She whispered and noticed him open his eyes and look at her. He didn't have to ask her for what, because he understood what she was thanking him for. He nodded and she pulled away from him just enough to take his hand.

She led him into the library where she'd been and he noticed the book she'd been reading…Pride and Prejudice. He snorted and shook his head. Figures she'd read something like that after being physically abused by her own father. She arched a brow at him but he said nothing. He watched her as she settled, not into the chair she'd been in, but on the floor by the fireplace. She looked at him expectantly and he nodded, sitting down beside her. She leaned against him while she continued reading.

He watched her for twenty or thirty minutes before he decided to broach the subject of her temporary home. "Do they have full legal rights over you since they are taking care of you?" She shrugged and looked up at the fire.

"I know my parents signed a paper stating that until they 'return' that Hiashi-sama and Meyumi-sama have their permission to make health, financial and legal decisions for me." She looked down at her book once more. "They're going to America for their counseling sessions. They don't want anyone in the area finding out what happened." She heard him growl and she leaned into him gratefully. She wasn't the only one thinking it was a load of bullshit.

"So you're going to be here for a while then, huh?" She nodded and closed her book as she leaned into his lap and let him play with her hair. He was running his hands through it, careful not to touch her bruised face. Every time he looked at it, something dark and dangerous raised its ugly head inside him. He watched as she snuggled up to him, her eyes slowly drifting shut. Aside from the bruising he detected dark shadows under her eyes. She wasn't sleeping well.

He sat there and played the part of dutiful boyfriend and part time pillow while she snuggled up against him. He heard noise and looked up just in time to see a tall man with dark brown hair and silver eyes, who looked a lot like Neji actually, walk in with an equally exotic looking woman at his side. Hinata and Neji were trailing after them, Tenten and Naruto with their significant other.

"What's up Gaara?" Naruto said. Gaara held his finger to his lip, indicating they should keep quiet. He looked down at Sakura, who was still asleep snuggled up to his side. Everyone immediately became quiet, speaking in whispers. It was Neji that introduced the two Hyuuga adults to Gaara.

"Uncle, this is Sabaku Gaara. He and Sakura have been dating since Halloween, though they've kept their relationship a secret from the Harunos." Everyone noticed Gaara's eyes darken at the mention of Sakura's parents and Hiashi arched a brow.

"It seems he has quite the temper." It was Naruto that snorted and crossed his arms over his chest.

"He adores the ground Sakura walks on. It's only natural that he gets pissed when you mention the one that abused her. He had a bad experience early in life with that kind of thing." Everyone looked at Gaara, who continued to rake his fingers through Sakura's hair, being careful of knots and of her tender face.

Without even looking up, he answered the questions he could sense burning deep inside them. "My father was very abusive. He used to beat my sister and brother, as well as me. He was accused of killing my mother; beating her to death. He was always angry and he always took it out on those around him." He stated quietly. He ran his fingers gently over the bruise on her cheek. "Ironically, he was beaten to death by drug dealers when he stumbled on them. He was drunk."

He looked up when he felt critical eyes on him. Both of Hinata's parents were regarding him warily. "What are your intentions with Sakura?" Hiashi asked bluntly. Meyumi rolled her eyes, but was impressed when Gaara answered without hesitation.

"To make her happy. To see her smile. To hear her laugh. I just want Sakura to be able to be Sakura. To be who she is, not who others think she should be. I love her." He stated quietly, evenly. They noticed Meyumi smile at him.

"I like this boy." She looked at Hiashi before turning and heading to the kitchen. "Naruto, you and your friend will be staying for dinner, yes?" The blonde smiled happily and nodded. Gaara looked down at the girl he loved. This would be their new beginning; a time to start over without the interference of her parents.