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.

Tenth Date | Paternal Numbing

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Sakura was reaching near full basket-case as the plane landed. She took a deep breath and glanced down at the rose-gold watch on her wrist. Eight-Twenty pm.

Suna Airs thanks you for flying. Please calmly follow the flight attendants and have a safe day! We once again thank you for flying high with us and hope you continue to do so in the future. We apologize for any delays you may have experienced while traveling with us and wish you safe travels and quick passage to your destination. If this is your destination - then . . . welcome home.

Sakura rolled her eyes. There was nothing safe about the rest of her night. It would only go downhill from here. There was no upside. Her nose scrunched in distaste. She was fatigued. Sleeping on a plane when you are bringing your fake fiancé to meet your horror house family was absolutely terrifying.

Gaara stood from the seat and stretched, rolling his shoulders. "Ready?" Gaara held out his hand and linked their fingers together before pulling her towards the exit of the plane.

She let him lead her easily down the plane stairs and into the terminal. A smirk played on the edges of her lips as he grabbed their bags from the luggage claim belt.

"Did you really need seven bags?" Gaara questioned, amusement lurking in his eyes as he glanced down at the pink-haired woman.

Sakura giggled sheepishly. "Yes." She took a deep sigh, breathing in the fresh scent of fall in the air. It was starting to get cold, but still not enough for more than a light sweater. She moved easily through the terminal at Gaara's side. Sakura let him hail a cab and waited as Gaara helped the cab driver load the trunk.

"Where are you and your lovely wife heading Sir?"

A blush marred her features as Gaara rested his arm on the back of the seat, letting her head rest against his bicep. "Fiancée, Black Rose Drive."

The cab driver whistled softly. "Black Rose Estate in Upper Konohagakure?" He nodded his head and pulled out onto the main road. "You did good kid." The cab driver nodded his head. "Very good family you got there."

Sakura snuggled against the other while Gaara smiled in thanks.

"When is the wedding?"

Gaara smiled softly as he moved a strand of bubble-gum pink hair out of Sakura's way, tucking it behind her ear. "After Christmas," he whispered gently in her ear as he glanced at the driver. Gaara smiled, "I believe my sweetheart wanted a spring wedding?"

"Sounds nice," she murmured softly. Sakura let out a soft breath as she watched the house she lived in as a child slowly appear. She hated that house and all the memories that followed with it. There were more bad than good. The anxiety in her mounted as the house came closer and closer.

. .

Sakura felt the moment the cab came to a complete stop. She could feel it deep in her bones. Sakura swallowed hard and forced her eyes to open. A shiver tingled down her spine as she stared at the place she had once had to call home. Sakura was not happy to be back. Was not happy that she would have to play fair. Sakura bit at her lower lip. At least Gaara was with her.

She giggled softly as she tried to take another bag from Gaara. "Would you let me help?" Sakura shook her head and took another bag from him. "I'm carrying three of my seven." She rolled her eyes. "Exactly who do you think carried them into the terminal?"

"Did you now?" A smirk covered his lips. "They stack together don't they?"

Sakura nodded. "Let me?" Her eyes sparkled as she stacked the small two on top of her large rolling suitcase, securing them in place. Sakura repeated the process with the other suitcase. "All the difference." She held the straps of the carry-on bag. "I can take one of the suitcases." Her lips pursed as she watched him slowly hand the suitcase over, brows furrowed.

"Fine." Gaara took the heavier suitcase set and his own and started up the small pathway to the front door. He glanced at the woman beside him before lifting his hand to ring the doorbell.

Sakura could feel her anxiety rising. "Wait!" Her heart pounded in her chest. "I warned you." Her dark green eyes clashed with his as she stared at him. "I told you what to expect." Sakura liked her lips. "I told you to never show surprise, to never show what cards you have."

"Saku," Gaara's voice was gentle as his eyes softened. "We will be fine." He placed a chaste kiss on her cheek before reaching for the doorbell once more. "Breathe." Gaara's eyes narrowed as he stared at the woman who answered the door. Pink hair. This must be Mebuki Haruno-Kino.

Sakura forced a smile and moved closer. "Hello, mother." Her tone was cheerful but pitched with irritation. "How are you?"

"Hello dear."

Gaara watched. Their voices matched, this is who she gets it from. He watched as his supposed fiancée changed. Her stature was tall and stubborn, flashed anger stretched across her face before disappearing. Gaara glanced at Mebuki once more. Taking her in. The hair matches. The attitude seems to be a learned trait. Gaara flashed a wide smile. "Hello."

Gaara. Sakura blinked a few times and took a step towards Gaara. Her mother had always had the ability to side-track her from her surroundings. Especially with anger. A soft smile covered her lips as the shock covered her mother's features. "Mother, this is Gaara Sabaku, my fiancé."

"Oh," Mebuki stood for a moment, letting her eyes wash over the male. "Sabaku, as in Sabaku and Hyuuga Industries?" She swallowed hard and blinked a few times.

Gaara nodded. "Yes Ma'am." He flashed a wide and tempting smirk before bringing the rest of the luggage inside. "Is there a place to put these?"

"Don't worry about that." Mebuki spoke, before a tight and thin smile spread across her lips. "We have people for that."

He straightened up and wrapped an arm around Sakura's waist. Gaara took a breath and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek before following Mebuki into a large sitting room filled with people.

"Let's do this," Sakura mumbled under her breath as she pasted on a wide smile. Her eyes searched the room. "Daddy?"

Mebuki's nose twitched for a second as she turned back to her daughter. "Your father has already retired for the night." Her words were short and unfeeling. "Itachi had to head out earlier." She glanced at Hinata and patted her hand. "But you should see him soon."

.

A shock ran through her system at the thought that Gaara had yet to let her go. He had stuck by her side through it all. A soft yawn slipped past her lips as she blinked. Serious jet lag was beginning to set in.

Gaara squeezed her hand and turned to Mebuki. "We are both a bit tired." He kept his voice low as he stared at her. "I do believe we are going to call it a night." Gaara stood slowly, taking Sakura with him.

"Goodness me!" Mebuki exclaimed. "I am so sorry." She stood quickly and motioned for them to follow her. "I'll show you up." She flashed a wide smile at Gaara. She took the stairs a couple of steps ahead of them. "So how long have you known my daughter?"

Gaara sent a glance to Sakura before looking ahead once more. "About a year and a half now."

"Oh," Mebuki stuttered on the steps. She blinked a few times. "I do hope you are treating her right." She flashed a smile at the male behind her. "I would have loved to have met you before now." Mebuki shrugged. "But you probably know by now, Sakura hasn't been home in close to seven years." Her tone was colored with exasperation and something he couldn't detect.

Sakura gritted her teeth. "That's not really my fault." Her eyes narrowed. "Is it." Frustration coursed through her veins, she was too tired for this. "You know why I left."

"Again with the lies?"

She bristled. So badly, she wanted to push her mother. "They are not lies."

"Pinky," Mebuki cooed as if she were talking to a three-year-old. She dismissively waved her hand. "Stop with the lies already." She shook her head. "The pressure got to you and you quit."

Sakura breathed out through her nose and did her best to stay calm.

"Pinky," Mebuki moved her hands to her hips for a moment as she stopped on the stairs. "Just like always." Her voice was patronizing. "Do you still work at the airport?" Mebuki shook her head. "You must, there is no way that stupid little idea of writing ever took off." She scoffed once more.

Her back went ramrod straight. "You have no idea of anything in my life." Her fists clenched in anger. "And if you had bothered to call, you would know."

"Know what?" Mebuki's eyes narrowed.

Sakura took a calming breath. "I quit my job at Suna Ai-"

"Another job?" Mebuki shook her head condescendingly. "What now? A waitress?"

She growled as she began to lose the fight over controlling her anger. "Yes mom, for a better job!" Sakura's shoulders shoved back as she moved up the stairs to stare at her mother. "I have a great job. A much better job than working as a part-time waitress like Hinata." She rolled her eyes. "Not that that matters, Itachi will be able to provide for her easily."

"Is that what this is about?" Mebuki let out a slow displeased breath. "Are you still hung up on Itachi." She shook her head. "Pinky." She reached out to pat Sakura on the arm. "I told you, you are much better suited with Sasuke." Mebuki held herself together as Sakura pulled her arm away. "And I told you to return. You are the one who never did."

Sakura held back a shriek as she stormed off in the direction of her old bedroom. She couldn't take it. I never lied.

"Oh dear," Mebuki tsked as she watched Sakura storm off.

Gaara's brows furrowed. "Your daughter has won three major awards for her published books." His eyes narrowed. "She works with one of the best editors in all of Suna." His jaw clicked as anger coursed through him. "But I think I understand it now." His eyes sharpened as his anger flexed. "If I had a mother like you, I wouldn't return home either." He stared at her a moment longer before going in search of Sakura.

He stumbled down the hallway - hoping he was going down the right hallway. Gaara groaned as he reached the end of the hallway. He was ready to curse and find help when the last door on his left caught his eye. It was a normal door. But Gaara could make out the hints of cherry blossoms lightly carved in the corners of the door.

"Gaara?"

He smiled as his name was mumbled through the pillow. "Yes," his eyes caught on the luggage that had been neatly placed at the foot of the bed. Gaara moved slowly towards the bedroom and took a seat on the bed beside Sakura's waist. He took a deep breath and ran his hand soothingly up and down her back.

"I'm sorry." Sakura whispered as she let her body relax, soothed by his gestures. She wiped at the tears in her eyes. "She does this every time." She bit at her lower lip. "It's one of the reasons I stopped coming home." Sakura shook her head. "She's never happy; nothing I do is good enough for her." She glanced at the ceiling, avoiding eye contact.

Gaara scooped Sakura up into his arms and leaned back against the headboard. "I'm sorry." What else could he say? The one who was supposed to make her feel better was the one who had hurt her the most. Gaara sat there quietly as she cried against his chest. A soft smile covered his lips as she quieted down. "Come on, time for bed."

"Okay." Sakura gave a short nod as she grabbed a change of clothes and headed into the bathroom first. She didn't bother to glance in the mirror as she started the water. Sakura didn't want to see the monstrosity her mother had helped her to become.

She climbed into the bed with the sound of water running. Gaara was in the shower. Her cheeks heated up at the thought. Sakura shook her head and twisted away from the bathroom door. That was not the way her thoughts needed to travel.