Disclaimer: Once again I tell the world Naruto (and all its characters) do not belong to me.
Chapter 6
Sakura
She looked at herself in the mirror. Temari had outdone herself. She looked gorgeous. The dress clung to every curve that she had. Her hair hung loosely around her in soft waves all the way down to her waist. It had grown out since she had started putting into a bun. The sandals heightened the daintiness of her ankles and the band around her wrist connected to a corner of the dress so that when she raised her arm the slit opened up. There was a knock on the door. Glancing at the clock she headed to the door.
That must be Temari. Wow I didn't know that she could be on time to anything.
Swinging the door open the greeting she was about to give died on her lips.
Standing in her doorway was Gaara looking deviously handsome. He had on black slacks and a black shirt, a red band adorning his waist. On anyone else it would have been corny but on him it looked perfect.
"Gaara … I was not expecting you."
Gaara
He stared at the woman in the doorway. He was robbed of speech. His eyes traveled over her body appreciating the way the dress seemed to caress her skin.
I've never wanted to be a dress so much in my life.
Shaking his mind free of the images that were starting to build he walked into the apartment, closing the door after him. He started to hand the rose to her.
"Temari thought that you should wear this in your hair"
"Oh "
When she made no move to take the flower from his hand, he stepped closer sighing.
He wanted to touch her hair and this would be the perfect excuse. He slipped the rose behind one ear carefully. He then ran his fingers through the rest of her hair.
So soft.
He heard a sigh escape her lips and his eyes traveled to her mouth. They were tinted red and there was a fait blush on her cheeks.
I wonder what they would taste like.
"Gaara … "
"Hmm"
"Um … I … I need to get my purse"
"Oh"
He stepped back relinquishing his hold on her hair. She turned and walked slowly out of the room. He watched her as she left. From the way the dress framed the pale skin of her back to the way her bottom swayed as she walked.
This is going to be a long night.
Sakura
It took all her strength not to run into her room. When she finally got there, she closed the door and rested her back against it, her mind a cornucopia of thoughts.
I'm going to kill Temari.
Why you insist on lying to yourself is beyond me. You're glad that he is here. Why can't you be true to yourself? Inner Sakura admonished.
I never said that I didn't want to see him. I just wish I'd had more warning. At least he knew he was going to see me tonight.
You couldn't guess that from the look on his face …or the way his eyes traveled all over you.
She smiled softly.
I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT! You like him. You like him. You like him…Inner Sakura chanted dancing happily.
Shut up. So what if I like him. It doesn't matter. I promised myself I would never open myself up to that kind of hurt again. Or don't you remember how it felt when he left?
That made her inner self quiet down.
Sure I remember but for one night can we just have fun. Just this one night will you relax and let whatever happens happen.
Fine just this one time, I'll pretend.
Promise?
Promise.
Good. Now lets get our groove on. Grab your purse. Lets GO!
With that she smiled and did exactly what her inner self suggested.
Gaara
She walked out with a smile on her face purse in hand. He watched the way the smile made her eyes light up and he felt something in him shift. "Something is different about you, you don't seem like yourself"
"Well it is a masquerade ball. We are not supposed to be ourselves"
"Hn"
He wondered what was going on in that head of hers. Then he remembered what Temari had told him and offered her his arm. She smiled even brighter and laid her arm on his.
"Thank you"
They walked out arm in arm all the way to the village dance hall. As they walked in together the crowd went silent and whispers started to thrum through the crowd.
He immediately dropped Sakura's hand and mumbled something about having to go to the restroom.
Sakura
How dare he leave us in front of a crowd like this! Inner Sakura screamed. Everyone is staring at us! We should punish him for this. I agree.
We can NOT let him …wait you agree.
Yes So any bright ideas on the punishment.
Actually I have a perfect idea. She smiled to herself and turned to smile at one of the men that she knew was approaching her.
He stepped up to her and asked.
"May I have this dance?" he asked almost stuttering. She recognized him as one of the Suna ninjas.
"It would be my pleasure." She took the hand he was offering and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor for the first dance of the evening. When Tsunade had suggested that she learn seduction techniques and dancing she had almost laughed but now she was grateful. She used the dance as an excuse to press her body close to the man she was dancing with. He was a good dancer and soon she was caught up in the music as they moved in circles around the dance floor.
Gaara
He stood on the balcony watching Sakura dance from the shadows. He had to admit she was good and he continued to watch until the song ended ignoring the unsettling feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Good now that the song is over I can go back and claim her.
No sooner had he thought those words than he watched the man grab Sakura by the wrist and pull her into his arms, whispering something in her ear. The thing eating into his stomach grew but he pushed it farther down. It wasn't until he saw a smile spread across her lips that he snapped. He stepped forward.
I'm putting a stop to this right now.
At that moment the music started up again and it was one of those slow Latin dances. Sakura stepped back into the mans' arms and they danced one more time.
What the hell does she think she's doing"
To his extreme annoyance he watched as the couple had the equivalent of vertical sex on the dance floor. There was a shattering sound and he felt a pain in his hand. Looking down he was surprised to see the wine glass in his hand reduced to shards. He flung the offending pieces away from him and walked off into the night.
Temari
What the hell? This was not what I planned. Where the hell is Gaara? And why is Sakura dancing with that man.
She looked down at the offending couple.
Well Sakura does look like she is having fun. And it would serve Gaara right for deserving Sakura on the dance floor. Hm … maybe I should leave them like this. A healthy dose of jealousy never killed anyone.
She smiled to herself turning back to her own partner.
Nope, jealousy never killed anyone.
Gaara
Several hours later.
Where the hell is she? It has been hours.
Gaara was almost livid with anger by now. He had been sitting on Sakura's balcony for hours now waiting for her to come home. He had half a mind to go and grab her away from the party and the stupid asshole she had been dancing with.
How dare anyone place one finger on her!
Just at that moment he heard a click and the door opened.
"What the hell"
He watched Sakura walking in, except she didn't walk in at all. She was carried in bridal style by the same bumbling idiot who she had been dancing with. His rage almost consumed him. It was all he could do to keep his voice even. Looking at the offending ninja he said almost quietly.
"Put her down and get out"
The couple looked stunned as if they didn't know he was there. The ninja was about to do as he asked when Sakura stopped him.
"This is MY home and I will decide who goes and who stays. And right now I want you to leave Gaara"
She was angry. He could hear it in her voice. But he wouldn't let it stop him. He had some things to say to the kunoichi and she was going to hear every last one of them.
Sakura
How dare he? Who the hell does he think he is? Sakura raged internally. Erm …I think you should handle this carefully. Inner Sakura warned.
Screw being careful no one pushes us around and gets way with it. She responded her anger rising to the surface.
"Put me down Kurosaki"
"Are you sure"
"She said put her down." Gaara reiterated, malice dripping from his voice.
Hearing the anger in his voice only made hers burn brighter. "I thought I told you to leave." She said as the young man gingerly lowered her to the couch. She watched as he turned to Gaara.
"Sir … the lady wants you to go"
She never even saw him move. The next thing she knew sand was wrapped around her escort and he was turning the most awful shade of blue. Turning to look at Gaara she was overwhelmed by the murderous intent spilling out of him. A thrill of fear ran through her.
"Gaara!"
Gaara
He watched as the man struggled to breathe pain dancing around the face that had dared oppose him. He squeezed tighter.
"Gaara , Please stop"
All the anger had drained from her voice. He glanced at the kunoichi that was the source of his rage. What he saw made his blood run cold. She sat huddled on the couch, tears in her eyes and fear on her face. He flung the offending man out of the room, barely noticing the man scuttle away.
"Sakura …"
Sakura
"Get out." She whispered her head down.
"Sa ..."
"I said get out!" She screamed at him.
She felt rather than saw him leave. And she sighed in relief. Rising to her feet she cried out in pain. Flopping back on the couch she reached for the ankle that had twisted when her heel had broken on the way home.
"You're hurt."
She screamed. Glancing up she saw Gaara in the doorway. "I thought I told you to leave"
"You're hurt"
"It's nothing." She pushed herself to her feet to prove her point, but the pain drove her down again. This time he caught her. Slowly laying her on the couch he pulled her ankle towards him. "It's fine I can do it myself"
He glared up at her and she fell silent letting him place her ankle in his lap. She lay her head back enjoying the sensations as he massaged her ankle. When he was done he placed her ankle back on the floor.
Gaara
"Sakura …"
"Hmm"
"Are you afraid of me"
There was a pause and he looked at her. He had only meant to glance but he was held captive by her eyes. He tried to wait patiently for her answer.
"Sometimes "
"So you think I am a monster just like everybody else." He said, turning away from her, ignoring the hand that she had rest on his thigh. Somehow the fact that this one woman thought ill of him was so much more painful than all the others combined.
"No!" "I don't think that … It's just that … you're so strong … and so completely focused ... and when you get angry it's like something takes a hold of you … and … it … it reminds me of someone." She finished so quietly that he almost didn't hear the last part. And he wished he hadn't.
"Uchiha" He whispered the name like it was an abomination.
"Do you still love him?"
"A part of me will always love him. But he hurt me too much for it to matter."
"I would never hurt you."
He hadn't thought to say the words but the instant they were out of his mouth he knew they were true. He would never let any harm come to this woman. He would kill whoever tried.
Sakura
She wanted to see his face. Using her other hand she pulled him to face her.
"Gaara … I"
She raised her hand to his cheek, marveling at the gamut of emotions running through his eyes. The one that struck the deepest chord with her was one that she never thought to see in any ones eyes. It was love. Underneath all the fear and uncertainty he loved her. She smiled. The knowledge brought her so much joy.
You love him too. Inner Sakura told her.
I know. But I don't think I'm brave enough to tell him.
So don't tell him; Show him.
She closed her eyes and leaned forward, capturing his lips with her own, hoping that she could say with her body what she could not say with her words.
Gaara
The feeling of her lips pressed against his caught him by surprise. He stayed perfectly still. When he felt her arms wrap around his neck her relaxed but still did not respond. Although he did not smell any alcohol on her he still wanted her to be sure.
I want her to be sure that this is what she wants.
"Sakura … are you "
"Gaara please just kiss me" She whispered softly against his lips and that was enough to remove the strands of control he had wrapped himself in. He kissed her with everything in his soul. Pulling her even closer to him he used his lips, mouth and hands to show her the words that he did not know how to say.
THE END
AN: Thank you guys for all your reviews. Sorry this chapter is late my muse (think Ryan Reynolds shirtless) apparently went on vacation and forgot to tell me. Also the site refused to let me update. Dont know why. I am ending the story here because after this point I don't know what should happen next. (I hate it when people drag out a story line). Thank you for making my first writing experience a great one.
Update:
I decided to continue the story but you may stop here if you wishto see it end with gaara and sakura i cannot guarantee that they will end up together when this story finally ends. If you want to see how the story goes on go to my page the next part is called broken 2