Author Note:

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.

Seventh Date| Glimmering Pattern

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Sakura let out a breath as she surveyed her apartment. The entire place had just gone through a rigorous cleaning. Everything had been disinfected, vacuumed and washed. Sakura was not going on vacation. She was going to need to come home to a completely clean area. Her sanity was going to be questioned, and she didn't need to lose it cause the house was cluttered with negativity and dirty dishes.

A soft smile clung to her lips as she reached for her phone. Oh, I didn't hear it go off!

Naruto-chan 3 missed calls – 7 new text messages

Gaara 1 missed call – 6 new text messages

She blinked a few times before opening Naruto's messages. He had texted first. It was only right to answer him first - or at least check to see what he wanted. She scrolled through his messages. Sakura glanced at the clock on the wall. Well, it will be useless to send him a reply. He's already on his way. Sakura smirked to herself; at least the cleaning was done before he got there. Naruto was not a good person to get to help you clean.

Their versions of clean were two very, highly, different versions of clean. One was sanitary-ish. The other was hospital-grade clean. And no, Sakura was not the former.

She backed out of Naruto's messages and clicked on the unopened messages from Gaara.

I thought we should start texting regularly.
Check in on each other. So it does not seem
awkward when we are with your family. - G

How are you doing today? -G

I will be working late again. In case you want
to send me another fruit breakfast. I very well
enjoyed that. -G

Is there a reason you are not texting me? -G

You know I don't like to be kept waiting. -G

Sakura giggled softly as she looked at the remaining text. I'm glad he liked that fruit basket. He was something else entirely. His demeanor simply demanded attention and full focus, but he could be so playful.

Very well, if you are not going to text back
I demand a fruit basket and a bagel box. -G

Sakura snorted at that. She had gotten to know him very well over the last few days. He had picked her up from her apartment a few different times for lunch if he had already been out for a meeting.

Very well, a Bagel box and Fruit basket -S

Hello Blossom, where have you been? -G

Sakura smiled sweetly, she could hear his voice whisper against her ear as she read the text.

I was cleaning, want to come home to a
clean home -S

She glanced at the clock on the wall once more as she reached for her suitcases. There was a small; however, every slim chance that she would be able to pack before Naruto arrived. But she was never one to not accept a challenge. Sakura grinned to herself and set to work.

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Sakura smiled sweetly at Naruto from her position in front of her open door. "Hey!" She stood back and held the door open wider for the blonde-haired male. "What is this?" She had read the text about him stopping by, but there had been no talk of sweets or movies.

"I realized that with you leaving – it could be a couple of weeks or so, hopefully less – much less," Naruto replied as he held up two grocery bags. "I brought a beautiful amount of junk food and a couple of romantic movies that we haven't seen yet." He smiled widely. "Sound good?"

Sakura giggled. "Sounds amazing!" She shut the door behind him and flipped the lock. "I have to pack though." Her nose scrunched. "I tried to get everything done before you got here . . . I wasn't too successful."

"I'll help!" Naruto's eyes sparkled. "We can put the movie on in your room while we do everything." He passed the living room and continued straight to her bedroom. "Last time you forgot so many things!" Naruto chuckled, "You pack in advance and still mess up."

The pink-haired woman squawked indignantly. "How rude!"

"It is true!" Naruto twisted slightly as he stuck his tongue out at the woman. He cackled as Sakura pushed him from behind. "Don't be rude to your guests!"

Sakura snorted. "Guest, you are so far from a guest." She rolled her eyes as she moved towards the kitchen to grab them drinks. "You have let yourself here countless times!" Sakura smiled. "I couldn't consider you a guest if we tried." Sakura handed Naruto the cold unopened can of grape Fanta. "What movies did you bring?"

"I brought Duplex, How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, and Four Christmases," Naruto replied, listing off a few of the movie titles he brought. "Oh, I also brought Hidden Love and Go Go Squid." He smiled widely. "I plan to have you fully converted to Chinese dramas before Tenten can turn you over to Korean dramas."

She chuckled softly. "Well then, which one has that hot guy you were telling me about?"

"Go Go Squid," Naruto grinned and popped the first disk from its holder. "Great choice. There are multiple hot guys." He winked and strolled towards her DVD player. He placed the disk in the open slot before grabbing the remote.

The two laughed and ate junk food as they packed for Sakura's trip. Junk food was thrown and pillows were tossed. Her comforter was chaotic from Naruto's wallowing. Drink cans were thrown into the garbage before more was gotten.

"Okay Naruto, I am a fan of Li Xian." Sakura sighed as the credits rolled for another episode of Go Go Squid. She grinned as Naruto exclaimed happily while shoving his fist into the air. "Is there a season 2? Cause Wu Bai has to end up with Ai Qing." She stood from the bed and stared at the extra large rolling suitcase that was opened on the floor at the bottom of the bed. "Do we have everything?"

He nodded. "There absolutely is a season 2 dedicated to Wu Bai." Naruto's lips pursed as he looked inside the suitcase. "Yes, and I made sure to pack you a carry-on bag." He smiled widely, "I used your favorite bag." It was a coral and tan striped bag with the Bahamas written in gold. "I made sure your brush and toothbrush and toothpaste were in there." Naruto flipped the suitcase closed before he zipped it up. "I packed a set of pajamas and a sundress with sandals in there too."

"You sure?" Sakura bit her lower lip. Her mind twisted and turned at ninety miles a minute. She went over every small detail. Sakura needed to make sure everything was ready – nothing needed to be left out. That would only cause issues. Or it would result in borrowing – which was a no in her family. That would mean you would owe said person something. Nothing was ever given freely in her family.

Naruto nodded. "Yep, I have absolutely everything in that suitcase that you could possibly need." He grinned easily. "Don't worry." He squeezed her shoulder.

"Okay, thank you." Sakura bit at her lower lip. And you don't want to come with me?" She hedged once more. Sure, Sakura had asked him on multiple occasions. But it never hurt? "See your mom and dad - Aunt Kushina and Uncle Minato?" She smiled widely and blinked innocently.

Naruto snorted. "Don't try and guilt trip me pretty lady." He waged a finger in her direction. "First - I know my parent's names." He rolled his eyes. "Second - Mom and dad are supposed to be coming down after the wedding." His nose wrinkled. "I got to be careful about vacation and time - plus I need to clean the apartment and guest room."

"Now that I can agree with!" Sakura giggled as he launched a throw pillow at her. "What?" Mirth filled her eyes, "I'm just saying."

He chuckled, "You will be fine, both of my parents will be down there - they love you." He squeezed her shoulder. "I will not say they will be perfect - but they are not as bad as her." Naruto patted her shoulder a few times. "Now! I know you have a collection of nail polish around here."

"What?" Sakura frowned as she looked at the blonde-haired male.

He chuckled at the wild look in her eyes. "For you silly!" He shook his head and moved towards her bathroom. He searched her cabinets until he found what he was looking for. He smirked at the look he received.

You are hiding something. Sakura's lips pursed as her eyes narrowed. She bit her lower lip and stared at the closed suitcase. Did she really have everything?

Ring. Ring.

Sakura moved towards her phone as the tune sounded through the room once more. She glanced at the caller ID before flipping the phone open. "Hey, Gaara."

"Hello," He breathed out slowly as he let her voice wash over him. It rejuvenated and relaxed him all at the same time. It was a wonderful feeling that he wanted to keep, but guarded to explore. She was so new to him. This was supposed to be a job. It shouldn't have felt that way. "How are you?"

She grinned to herself as she walked into the living room and fell on the couch. "It has been a pretty good day." Her voice was soft, closed off in their little world. "Naruto came over to help me pack."

"Good," Gaara forced out an irritated sigh. "Hold on," his eyes narrowed as he glanced at the male walking through his door.

Sakura's lips pursed as she listened. 'First, you knock, and then wait until you are let it. Walk through me door like that again and you are fired.' A shiver curled low down her spine as she listened to the authority in his voice. Sakura glanced at the clock on the wall beside the TV. He's still at work.

"Sorry about that," Gaara murmured as he pulled the phone closer to his ear once more.

She smiled and tucked a couple strands of hair behind her ear. She felt like a schoolgirl. "You shouldn't be working so hard." She bit her lower lip. He needed to rest.

"I have to make sure everything is in order for me to be gone for at least two weeks." He answered softly as he looked over the paperwork that the male had brought in. "We are set to leave on Tuesday."

So . . . Four to Five days. Right? Her brows furrowed as she struggled with her thoughts. She didn't punch a normal clock - there were times were her days got all mixed up. Yes! Today is Thursday. "Sounds good."

"We need to meet on Saturday." Gaara bulldozed forward, his brows furrowed as he looked at the bright computer screen. He glared as he tried to focus on the time. "We have a few other things we need to discuss before our flight."

Sakura nodded. "Okay, and it will give us time to be with each other." She cringed. She sounded like a clingy girlfriend. Sakura blew out a breath. He had to know what she meant. "What time?"

"Lunch," Gaara replied. "I will meet you at Starbucks." He smiled softly as she hummed in answer. "Have a good night Saku."

A shiver coursed along her flesh as his words washed over her. The deep smooth base that curled low in her stomach. She could hear the amusement coloring his voice. "Good night Gaara."

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Sakura heaved a soft sigh as she pushed herself away from the desk, letting her chair roll backward. She was tired of glaring at her laptop. She let the heel of her palms push against her eyes to force them to relax. She wasn't really getting anywhere.

You must be working. Naruto said you write
from home? -G

Is that easier than working elsewhere? -G

Her stomach fluttered as a smile wiggled across her lips. She had been receiving text messages from Gaara most of the day. It had started with a thank you for the breakfast. Which if she was being honest. She should have been the one thanking him. Gaara had sneakily ordered breakfast for her and then had one of his employees bring it to her home. At a reasonable hour of course.

Yes, much easier from home, comfy. Unless
I get a writer's block. Usually find a nice
quiet area in the park, flowers help. -S

Sakura bit on her lower lip and stood from her chair, grabbing her coffee mug as she bee-lined for the coffee pot. She needed the coffee for help. And she fully intended to continue to blame Naruto for her predicament.

Naruto had lied. He said romantic movies and comedies. He stuck a horror movie in there at the last minute and she had been so into the storyline that by the time she had realized what it was . . . it had already scared her near death. There should have been a warning sign. There was no need for it to start out so nice, with a loving background story just to rip it all away.

She hadn't slept. And she doubted sleep would come easy tonight. Though . . .There was more of a chance of her dreaming of haunted deadlines and fiery red curls chasing her down a never-ending hallway. Sakura sat back down at her desk, fresh coffee in hand. Today was going to be long.

Buzz. Buzz.

However, it seemed Gaara was going to give her a little reprieve. Hmm. That was a nice thought.