Author Note:

Okay, I went back and looked at this story. I realized . . . I was a horrible writer. When I started, that is. I do pray I have gotten better.

2nd Note | I went back for a third time. I realized . . . I wasn't as horrible as last time but it still needed some serious RnR so here I am, give me love (pwease?) and don't forget Book Two: The Engagement Date

Disclaimer | I own this story. The title and backline story is from The Wedding Date with Debra Messing and Dermot Mulroney. And as stated earlier I do not own the World of Naruto.

Fourth Date| Wavering Perspective

Dinner with Tenten had been entertaining as usual. And don't for one-second think that Sakura did not talk to her about Gaara and the impending lunch date. Tenten is her absolute best friend besides that of Naruto. And Sakura is smart. Naruto would have told Tenten and then she would have somehow managed to show up at the late lunch date. Sakura was not taking that chance.

She had told Tenten everything. And the double-bun woman had jumped for joy inside the hospital cafeteria. It took all Sakura had not to just crawl under the table and hide as the rest of the doctors and nurses all looked their way. Sit down! Sakura shook her head but couldn't fight the blush that took up residence on her cheeks. If she wasn't careful the blush was going to become a constant companion.

She breathed out softly as she moved down the streets of Suna. The city was beautiful. More desert than anything. But there were a few flowers and trees that had managed to grow. And with their life, it was just that much more beautiful. Her favorite was Sand Verbena and Sacred Datura. Both were very beautiful flowers. The days were overly warm with a dry wind – but she loved it. Now, admittedly, there was sand everywhere. But after a while, a person got used to it.

Sakura had gotten used to. Therefore, anyone can. Well, Sakura had ulterior motives. She didn't really have a choice. There would be no way possible that Sakura would return to her home. Back to her mother. So, she had to get used to Suna. True, she could have gone elsewhere. Settled down even further from the people she had to call family. But Naruto and Tenten had been in Suna. And Sakura was anything but a loner. She needed friends like bees needed honey.

Suna was a wonderful place to live. Well, it was a pretty good place to live. One of the main reasons she loved it so much was because of how far it was from her home. Konoha was pretty. Beautiful forestry with exotic flowers that bloomed year-round. It was always sunny without the overbearing heat. It had been a good place to grow up in during childhood. However, that had not meant she wanted to spend the rest of her life in that place.

And considering she could kill an Ivy plant . . . it was nice to know that cacti didn't die as easily. As of yet, Sakura still had the cute little cacti plants that Tenten had given her four years ago! The brunette had given her Aeonium: Blushing Beauty, beautiful little cacti that reminded her of bloomed roses. Anacampseros: Sunrise, soft pink mixed with creams and purples and green petal-shaped blooms. But her favorite cactus plant was the Elephant Tooth Cactus, it had an odd pointy dome shape with a budded flower at the top. Filled with thorns that protected the beauty.

And besides, Suna had beautiful sunsets if anything. The sun set over the vast wide valleys of sand. It was angelic. The deep tangerine-colored oranges that dive across the sky. Hesitant soft petal pinks flutter as they wrap around the vivid oranges. Blood bright reds streak across the openness of the above. They take over the pinks as the sun dives deeper. The orange bleeds out as red takes over before the darkness covers it all.

She liked the sunsets. It was her favorite way to end the day, whether they had been long or not. A cup of cooling sweet tea in her hands as she sat on the cushioned outside lounge chair on her balcony. The soft wind wisped around her gently, playing with her pink locks as she watched the fading blue sky sink lower.

Her hot pink razor phone let out a couple of rings that sounded like two glasses clinking together. Sakura pulled her phone from her front pocket of her black flower lace shorts. She wore a soft coral color top. The shirt was sheer with a halter-like bust. The back of the shirt fell just above mid-thigh, while the front stopped just below the belly button. And her favorite coral-colored flip-flops covered her feet.

Her makeup had once again been done in an understated way. A soft coral eye shadow with shimmery brown eye shadow in high and low lights had been used. A black eyeliner defined her eyes, soft points to give the feline edge look. Sakura had her favorite lip gloss covering her lips and a slight blush on her high cheek bones.

She smiled at the name that blinked across the screen.

"Hey."

Sakura grinned at the familiar voice over the phone. "Hey Naruto," she replied with ease as she moved down the side walk.

"You are on your way to meet him, right?" Naruto questioned gently from over the phone. He licked his lips before stuffing another chip in his mouth. If he wasn't eating ramen, Naruto was eating Lays Ruffled Cheddar and Sour Cream. It was an addiction. And not one he was going to give up. He exercised! Okay, fine! He was late most mornings and had to run all the way to work. He was still burning a lot of carbs! It counted . . . it had too.

She rolled her eyes and tucked a couple of wayward strands of hair behind her ear. "Yes, I am on my way now. And I look great!" She giggled softly at the snort she received. "I'm wearing that shirt we bought together last Saturday." Sakura grinned.

"And the lace shorts that I told you would look amazing together?" Naruto jabbed. "Cause if not, you better go back home and change, Missy."

Sakura giggled. "Yes, and my favorite new flip flops." She heaved a sigh as she came to a stop, because playing frog with moving cars was a no for her. "I am falling in love with the coral color." Sakura bit at her lower lip. "Do you think this is going to go well?" She took a calming breath, every fiber in her body was buzzing with nervous energy.

"Don't worry, Gaara is a perfect gentleman." Naruto soothed. "Everything will be fine." A smirk covered his lips. "Are you walking? I figured you would have the corvette out today?"

Sakura shrugged as she started to walk once more. "No, didn't want to drive it. I would have wanted the top down and that would mess with my hair – hair blown is not the look I'm going for today." A pout wormed its way across her lips. Sakura would have loved to have been in the corvette.

"Sure sure." Naruto rolled his eyes and flung himself back against his couch. "Have a good lunch, and call me after?"

She grinned easily. "Of course." She placed her phone back into her pocket and took a deep breath as she looked up at the sign for the restaurant she would be meeting him at. She swallowed and pushed the glass door open.

The soft piano floated through the air as an acoustic version Have I Told You Lately by Rod Stewart filled the entire café. The cafe is filled with soft browns and warm autumn colors. Shimmery brown table clothes and orange-y coral napkins decorated the square tables. The dishes where pale cream with shiny gold swirls around the edges and the utensils are tinged with gold.

A shiver coursed through her body as she forced a smile for the Hostess. "A table for two?"

"A reservation?"

Sakura froze. "I'm not really sure. Maybe under Sabaku." She bit at her lower lip and waited at the Hostess looked through her list.

"Yes, Sabaku called this morning and had a reservation set for two." She smiled and grabbed two menus before beginning to walk. "He chose a more secluded table." The Hostess's smile widened. "Very romantic."

A blush covered her cheeks as she nodded. "Yes it is." She bit at her lower lip. Gaara was supposed to play the romantically doting something. He seemed to be playing his part well so far. She bowed slightly as she took a seat facing the entrance. She wanted to see him before he saw her.

"Hello, are you ready to order?" The older waitress smiled sweetly as she gave a short bow. "Can I get you a drink while you look through the menu?" Her smile was soft and welcoming as she stared down at the pink haired woman.

Sakura smiled up at the woman. "An ice water." Her lips pursed as she looked at the appetizer list. "Can I just get an order of the biscuits?" She gave a forced smile. "I want to wait for the rest of my party." She grinned as the other woman nodded and walked away to fill the first part for Sakura. Her foot bounced against the wooden flooring. She was getting nervous.

"Thank you," She whispered as the waitress set her glass of water down on the table, followed by the plate of biscuits. Sakura took a sip of her water and pulled a biscuit towards her on a small plate. She nibbled at the food. Sakura swallowed hard as nerves filled her to the brim. Her leg shook faster. Her vivid green eyes flickered back and forth between the entrance and the food in front of her.

What if this goes wrong?

What if he won't do it?

What if they see right through him?

What if . . .?

Sakura shook her head. She did not need those thoughts running through her head. Against her permission the thoughts continued to plague her mind. A wave of nausea billowed through her small frame. Sakura stood quickly as bile rose. She was not good with surprises. The chair scrapped against the floor. I can't do this!

"Hun?" Her waitress frowned as she stared at the younger woman hidden behind the partition break between the kitchen doors and the cafe floor. It wasn't proper for the staff to allow customers behind the partition.

Sakura smiled sheepishly. How childish to resort to this! "Sorry, it's just . . ." Exactly how did you say something without saying too much? "My table."

The waitress nodded her head affirmatively. "Do you not like it?" Her voice gentle as she looked at the pink haired woman before glancing at the table once more. "I can ask the Hostess to seat you elsewhere."

"No, it's not that." Sakura let out a soft hysterical giggle. A blush stained her cheeks as she looked down at the slim silver watch on her left wrist.

The waitress frowned, but nodded slowly as she waited for the younger to continue.

"In about two minutes my date is going to come in and sit down." She heaved a deep breath. "I'm terrified." She whispered. "I have never met him before and I have to bring him home for my sister's wedding in one month and five days." Sakura rushed out before she could stop herself.

"Oh honey," the older woman cooed softly and squeezed Sakura's shoulders. She smiled softly and peeked around the partition. Her eyes widened as she whistled softly. "Well, well, well," She trailed off as her eyes continued to talk. "If you don't want that honey, put in a good word for me." The waitress winked at the pink haired woman. "However, you do get to call dibs first." She patted Sakura on the shoulder before walking back into the kitchen.

Sakura pulled in a breath and forgot to exhale. That good? She swallowed nervously and slowly peeked out around the partition. Her jaw dropped as her eyes widened. Wow . . .

Sakura forgot how to breathe. Her heart stopped in her chest and her lungs tried to suffocate her. And she was pretty sure there were spots in her vision. Unbelievable. There was no way possible that the man that had sat in the seat across from her seat was supposed to be her date. A cosmic joke. Had to be.

She blinked a few times as she took him in. He had to be at least six foot tall, probably a little taller if she guessed right. Wide broad shoulders that tapered in slightly for a narrowed waist. And wing tipped black shoes that whispered of power and in-control. Her breath hitched as she watched him remove his suit jacket. Sakura swallowed hard. Damn. . .