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.

Eighth Date | Illuminating Band

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Sakura breathed in slowly, her eyes falling shut as the warm coffee slid down her throat. She loved her ice mochas. She really did. However, nothing beats good old-fashioned coffee with sugar. Sakura slouched slightly in her seat. She would begrudgingly admit that she had spent the rest of her night scared lifeless with only a pillow to defend her. She was not a fan of horror movies - Naruto was.

"Saku?" Gaara frowned as he greeted the woman before him.

She groaned as a delicious heat curled around her left side. She fell against the heat and took deep breaths. "Hi." She whispered as she rested against him. "Naruto made me watch scary movies," her words were mumbled. Her lower lip jutted out. "I had trouble writing yesterday too."

"Yeah?" Gaara chuckled and wrapped his arm securely around her shoulder. "You ready?"

Sakura nodded slowly and let him pull her into a standing position. "You didn't want anything?" She peered up at him with innocent eyes and smiled softly. The smile tugged harder at the edges of her lips as he told her Starbucks was for her benefit. "Where are we going?" Sakura took another sip of her coffee.

"Carter Jewelers and I have a couple of questions," Gaara murmured as he tucked her against his side and moved out the coffee shop doors. "You never really stuck with an answer on what you wanted me to be." He started slowly. "Well, I need to know."

Her brows furrowed. What do I want him to be? Sakura's lips pursed. Hmm. She hadn't really thought about that part. Dang. Sakura's brows furrowed as she focused on the adventure that was ahead of her. "My Fiancé." Her voice was soft as she spoke, giving her answer. She blinked a few times as a tingle settled low in her stomach. Her body really liked the idea of calling him hers.

"Okay," He laced their fingers together and pulled her against his side as he moved down the street and towards their destination. Gaara smiled down at the woman under his arm. "We need to pick out a set of rings then." He shook his head as she moved to open her mouth. "No, the type of person I am . . . You would be wearing a ring the moment I wanted you." A smirk covered his lips. "I want everyone to know you are taken."

A blush stole her cheeks as she nodded and bit down on the inside of her left cheek. Her inner Sakura was going wild. "Okay," she bit at her lower lip.

"Come on," Gaara held the door open as he placed a hand on Sakura's lower back, he guided her inside. He kept her closer to him as he moved towards the back of the store. Gaara had already cased the place and knew exactly where he was going. He moved Sakura to one of the glass cases.

Sakura blinked as she stared down at the shiny jewelry. Oh. That was right. If they were going to be that much together, then there needed to be a ring.

"Choose from this case," Gaara whispered against her ear as he encased her. His arms wrapped around Sakura's waist. Gaara placed his chin on her shoulder as he stared down at the glimmering rings. They were pretty – and would do nothing less than compliment her.

Sakura stared at the rings. Her brows furrowed as her lips puckered. "I can't decide." Her voice was a soft murmur as she leaned down slightly. A shiver curled low around her spine as his heat pushed at her skin, infiltrating and taking over. Sakura bit her lower lip to keep a small moan from escaping. Dangerous.

"These two?" He questioned softly as he looked over her shoulder. He let his arm tighten around her waist as he signaled for a sales associate.

The lady nodded and pulled out the two rings that Gaara had pointed to. Her lips pursed as she looked over at the couple. "You are getting married?" Her voice was low and cold. It was clear what she meant: are you marrying her? Her eyes stayed trained on Gaara. There was no reason to look at the tart in his arms. She didn't mean anything.

"Yes," Gaara smiled fondly before placing a kiss on Sakura's clothed shoulder. His arm around her waist tightened for a moment.

A blush rose high on her cheeks as she wiggled in his arms. She twisted around and wrapped her arms around his waist. To any outsider, it would look like a shy girl in love. But . . . Sakura was hiding from the cruel and questioning looks. She had felt their eyes on her the moment they had stepped in the door. She was on Gaara Sobaku's arm.

"Which one Sweetheart?" His voice was soft as he whispered in her ear.

Sakura shrugged. "You choose."

"Okay," Gaara rubbed her back soothingly as he stared down at the two rings. They were rings for her and his rings would match hers. His lips pursed as he stared, contemplating his choice. He took a deep breath. "This one."

The lady heaved a soft sigh "Very well," she kept her voice professional as she stared at the two customers. "Do we have the correct sizing?" She stared at Gaara as she waited for an answer.

"Yes," Gaara replied. "I filled out the paperwork; you have the clarity I want and the engraving," Gaara replied. His dark eyes narrowed as he stared at the other woman. If she messed it up, Gaara would have her job.

She nodded. "Very well," Her jaw tightened as she glanced at Sakura once more. "Please give us three hours." She handed him a receipt and forced a smile.

"Engravings?" Sakura whispered as she looked up at Gaara. Her eyes held confusion as he wrapped his arm around her and pushed her out of the store. "When did you get engravings?" her brows furrowed as he continued to move her along. "Wait, where are we going?"

. . .

3 Hours Later

She bounced in step with Gaara as they made their way back to the jewelry store. Sakura smiled and let her and Gaara's laced hands swing back and forth between them. They had spent the day window shopping. Gaara had wanted them to get to know each other more – be as comfortable as possible with each other. Thankfully, the blush had taken a back seat.

"Happy?" Gaara murmured as he glanced at the pink-haired woman beside him. He squeezed her hand as he held the door open to the jewelry store.

She nodded. "I can't wait to see the rings." Sakura had been thinking about the engravings since they had left the shop earlier that morning.

"Hello," It was the same lady as before. "The engraver will be with you momentarily." She flashed a wide and professional smile before twisting on her heel to help the next customer.

Sakura frowned. "Do you think something went wrong?" Her brows furrowed as her lips pursed.

"I am sorry for the wait," The voice was soft and worn as an elderly man smiled widely. He placed the velvet-colored square on the glass counter. "The engravings were unusual." His eyes sparkled as he looked at the pair. "I simply wanted to meet the two that the rings belonged to." He smiled widely and slid the velvet-covered square closer to Gaara.

Gaara smiled and picked up the ring that would grace Sakura's ring finger. Perfect. Gaara held the ring out for her to inspect.

"Thanks," she whispered as she took the ring. Her dark eyes glittered as she looked down at the silver ring. It was a simple band about 2mm wide with a full circle of round inset diamonds. Sakura held the ring up closer as she read the engraving. Saku Storm. Sakura smiled sweetly as she looked at the male next to her.

Gaara watched with a smile as she placed the ring on her finger. It looked good there. Gaara liked his ring on her finger. A self-satisfied smile crawled across his lips as he looked at the ring.

"I hope you don't mind." The elderly man smiled softly. "I did tweak the engraving slightly." A blush stole his cheeks as he looked down. "I can have it done again to match your request if either of you are unhappy." His hand reached up on its own accord to rub his flaming cheeks.

Sakura picked up his ring and looked at the engraving. Sand Blossom. She liked that too. His band was much the same. Though it was more than 4mm wide with a full circle of round inset diamonds. The major difference was the width and the thickness of the silver band around the circle of diamonds.

"Did you now?" Gaara questioned, his eyes focused solely on the elation on her features. He liked it when she smiled, unbidden and unrestrained.

She smiled softly; A gleam flickered in her emerald green eyes. Sakura giggled softly as her eyes clashed with his. Emerald met Forest on a collision course. She blushed. Sakura bit at her lower lip as she pushed the band around her ring finger. With a shy smile, Sakura watched as Gaara placed the ring on his ring finger.

"It is fine," Gaara murmured. "She is happy, so it is fine." He stared at the bubble-gum haired woman. He watched as the elderly man smiled in relief. He moved in closer, wrapping his arms around her waist. Gaara inhaled softly, taking in her calming scent before resting his chin on her shoulder. "Are you happy baby?"

His deep voice sent shivers down her spine as he whispered in her ear. Sakura blinked a few times as a dark blush wormed its way over her pale skin. "Yes," Sakura forced out softly before swallowing the lump that formed in her throat.

"Good." Gaara murmured as he reluctantly pulled away from her soothing warmth. He turned back towards the elderly male. "I would like to go ahead and finish purchasing the rings." He pulled the black Amex card from his wallet and handed it over silently.

Sakura stared down at their clasped hands with foreign amazement. Was this what it was like to have to have someone who cared for them? She swallowed hard and pushed the thoughts aside as she moved closer to him. Sakura did so unconsciously. It was easy to read his stature. To understand the power that rolled off of him in tsunami-like waves. He could protect her. Sakura swallowed hard. Even from herself, it seemed.

"Ready?" Gaara smiled down at the woman next to him. His thumb rubbed over her hand soothingly as he tugged her out the door. He moved easily down the streets as they headed towards the park once more. "There were a couple more things we should discuss before we leave."

Sakura frowned. "Oh?"

"Nothing bad," He chuckled softly as he took a seat on the same bench as last time. "There were just a couple of things I didn't get to say." He smiled. "And if I have learned anything about your mother from Naruto or you . . . It doesn't need to come as any sort of shock."

She nodded softly and waited for him to continue. Sakura took to twisting the ring around her finger as she listened to him.

"If it's not glaringly obvious, I have money." Gaara started, he wasn't one to beat around any sort of proverbial bush. "A lot of money. I don't worry about money losses – I'll make twice what I lost within an hour or two." He smirked at the wide-eyed look he received. "I own three major corporations, which are the foundation for the empire I have built."

Sakura nodded and stayed quiet. She knew he had money . . . But, wow.

"One of these corporations is co-run with a good friend and business partner – Neji."

She jerked. "Hyuuga?" She blinked owlishly. Had they always been this close to each other without actually ever meeting?

"Yes," He smiled. "How do you know him?" And not me?

Sakura giggled. "He's currently dating Tenten." She smiled. "Tenten is my best girl friend – Naruto being the best best." Sakura smiled at the look she received. "They have been dating for years – he needs to jump already and pop the question!"

Gaara chuckled softly, stopping as his cell phone rang. He sent Sakura an apologetic smile as he reached into the inner pocket of his suit jacket. "Yes," the one word was clipped and all the others would receive. "I thought I already gave you my answer." It wasn't a question. His eyes twisted darkly as he stared ahead of him. Gaara didn't like to be questioned.

"It's okay if you need to go," Sakura whispered as she leaned toward him. She placed a hand on his arm and squeezed softly.

He heaved a frustrated sigh through his nose and he hung the phone up. "I am sorry. But I need to make sure this is all done before we leave." He stood from the bench and leaned down into Sakura's personal space. A smirk covered his lips as he placed a chaste kiss on her cheek. "Tomorrow Blossom." His head tilted to the side. "I'll be closer to your apartment – lunch?"

Sakura blushed as she felt his warm lips against her cheek. "I'll see you in the mid-morning?"

"Yes," Gaara smiled as he stepped back. "Have a good day baby." Gaara winked once before walking away from the beautiful pink-haired woman on the stone bench.