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.

Chapter Eleven | Daring Allies

.

Sakura took a deep breath. She didn't want to get up. She didn't want to greet the day. She didn't want to believe that today was today. Sakura was dead set on ignoring. But if the hand shaking her shoulder was anything to go by, Gaara was not agreeable with her plan. Not one bit.

She had woken up to a pair of strong arms that surrounded her in safety and comfort. It had killed her not to push back as he tried to get up from the bed. She hadn't been with that game plan either.

"Up baby," Gaara murmured. A smile covered his lips. "I let you lay back down after you got dressed." Gaara chuckled. "But we need to go." He smiled softly as he stared down at the woman on the bed. She was quite adorable when she was sleepy.

Sakura huffed out a breath and stood from the bed. "I do not like this plan." Her lower lip jutted out. She didn't want to see him. She didn't want to be anywhere near him. Or her sister. The least her sister could have done was told her. Someone should have told her.

"How long has it been?"

She bit at her lower lip. She understood the half question easily. "We were engaged seven years ago." Her voice was void of emotion as an image of Itachi flashed in her mind. Sakura glanced at herself in the mirror once more. She was wearing a black sundress with like flower blossoms covering it and a pair of black sandals. Sakura glanced up at the man who stood behind her.

"Ready?" Gaara questioned with a smile. His full black Armonie suit was stark against his deep red hair. "You are staring." A smirk curled on his lips as he looked at Sakura. "You can always stare . . . Just wanted to make sure you were aware of it." He winked at the pinked haired woman.

A blush covered her cheeks. "I can't help it." She huffed out a breath as she linked hands with Gaara and let him drag her down and out of the house. "I really do not want to go." Sakura's brows furrowed as she came to a stop. "I'm not going." She was an adult, she could make such decisions. Her sister would get over it. It wasn't the wedding.

"Yes, you are." Gaara raised an eyebrow as he watched her. A smirk curled on the edges of his lips. He moved closer, head lower lip as he stared at her. "I will pick you up and put you in the car." He took a slight step back. "I will."

Sakura crossed her arms under her chest and shook her head. "No." Yes, she knew that she had to look like a five year old with a tantrum to anyone that was looking. But at that moment, she did not care. Her eyes widened as she watched Gaara. "You wouldn't."

"I will." Gaara replied with ease. "You are tempting me baby." His eyes narrowed as she shook her head. "There are no witnesses."

She blinked. "You wouldn't?" It was not supposed to sound like a question.

"Yes." Gaara smirked. Because, yes, he would do it. And he would enjoy it.

She shook her head. Sakura was going to stand her ground. There was no way possible he would do such a thi- "Gaara!" She shrieked as she was hoisted into the air. Now, the right side of Sakura's brain was completely stunned. While, the left side, could do nothing but admire the taunt muscles of Gaara's buttocks region.

. . .

"Hey Naruto!" Tenten smiled as she flopped down on the couch next to Neji, snuggling closer as she stared at the blonde male. "I had a question."

A wicked smile covered his lips as a mischievous gleam flickered in his eyes. He relaxed into his seat. "Yes Tenny?"

"Watch it." Tenten glared at the fox like male who only laughed harder. She seethed for a moment - he was not funny. "Have you heard from Sakura?"

Naruto nodded. "She texted this morning." He smiled. "Plane ride went well."

"How is Gaara?" Temari questioned with a pout. "He's blocked my number." Her arms crossed under her chest. "He's a little sensitive."

Kankuro snorted. "You broke his phone. Again." He rolled his eyes. "Of course he is!" He chuckled at the squawk that greeted him.

"The question is who will survive the longest." Neji snorted. "Hinata, Mebuki, or Sasuke."

Temari frowned. "Who is Sasuke?" She had heard of the first two. Sakura's mother and sister, respectively. But that last name didn't sound familiar at all.

"Rapist," Ino muttered under her breath. She flinched at Temari's outburst. Ino blinked a few times. "Wow, that is some seriously good hearing." She swallowed once and glanced at Naruto for help. Exactly how do you explain that?

Naruto grimaced. "It was a very long time ago." His lips pursed in thought. "Seven to eight years ago." He heaved a sad sigh and bit at his lower lip. "Sasuke doesn't play by any rules but his own." His brows furrowed as anger coursed through him at the memory."Well, Mebuki's rules apply."

"The boy doesn't understand that no means no." Ino finished with a frown. She shook her head and leaned back in her seat. "He is a horrible little boy who had been given everything he wants." Her eyes narrowed unhappily.

Naruto nodded. "I was there. He came very close that time." His voice was feathery soft as the memory washed over him. "I fear what could have happened if I hadn't gone looking for her that day."

"Gaara won't let that happen." Temari frowned.

Naruto smiled. "I know." He chuckled at the look he received. "It's why I asked him. I knew he would never intentionally let her family hurt her."

"Her family is wacko." Kankuro shook his head. Sure, the Sabaku's had their moments . . . but they actually cared for each other - and said sorry when they needed too. Especially because they wanted too.

"You have no idea." Ino muttered once more. "Complete lunatics." She heaved a soft sigh. "I had thought for a while that Hinata was also a hostage . . ." She shrugged.

Naruto's lips pursed. I think she's been subjected to Mebuki for so long that she doesn't not how to stand for herself. Let alone stand for anyone else. He swallowed softly and took a sip of his drink. He kept his thoughts to himself. Though, he usually did where Hinata was concerned. Naruto felt she had been judged to harshly . . . but there was never a moment to prove his thoughts right.

Sai frowned as he joined the conversation from next to Shikamaru. "So you are essentially saying they are all completely mental - asylum worthy. Except for Sakura?" He blinked a few times and whistled as Naruto and Ino nodded once more.

"And her father." Tenten supplied with a soft smile. "He's amazing."

Naruto nodded. "Stepfather though." He shrugged. "So technically, he's being held hostage - just like Sakura." He grinned softly at the thought of the father figure that had been there for Sakura. "I think the only reason he has stayed is for Sakura. So she wasn't left alone."

"Gaara will be fine." Tenten smiled. Her smile slowly slipped. "Unless Mebuki drinks too much." A silence fell over the group. Tenten swallowed as she licked her lips. "We should go buy plane tickets, huh?"

Shikamaru chuckled. "We leave in three hours." He smirked. "Phones might be troublesome, but they come in handy." He winked as he left, "you owe me!"

.

Tenten groaned as she stretched after stepping off of the plane. She wanted to go back to sleep. She leaned against Neji as they exited the terminal. "I called ahead and spoke with Rhyuu." Tenten smiled at Naruto's praise. "He has the rooms available for us and said he let it stay a surprise for Sakura."

Temari frowned as she stepped out of the cab. "That was a shorter ride than I thought it would be." She stood next to her brother as he gathered the luggage that had been placed inside. "What, a forty minute drive?" Her head tilted to the side. "The way you had described it, I figured closer to an hour and a half."

"They found more of a rural side that was close enough to the city to count." Naruto replied with a smile. "Hello!" He smiled widely at the maid that answered the door.

She smiled. "Rhyuu told us to expect you." She bowed slightly as she pushed the door open wide for them to enter. "You can leave your luggage in the foray. We will get it."

"Please give us our usual rooms." Naruto smiled sweetly. He heaved a sigh as he took a seat in the for friends not family lounge area. Mebuki was particular like that. He sipped at his sweet tea as he leaned back against the couch. "That wasn't a bad trip, considering."

Tenten nodded as she rested against Neji. "That is tru-"

"I cannot believe you!" Sakura accused as she forced the door open. She moved quickly up the stairs and towards her room.

A silent and fuming Gaara followed on her tail. "No," He snapped as he faced Mebuki. "I am the one marrying her." His eyes narrowed as he spine steeled. "You get no say and you certainly do not get to talk to her that way."

"You will not talk to me like that!" Mebuki screeched as she stared after her daughter. "Sasuke would make a fine husband!" She huffed as she turned back towards Hinata. "Why did you drink so much sweetie, it's bad for your complexion?" She tutted softly as Itachi helped Hinata into the house.

The sound of Sakura slamming the door shut could be heard through the entire house.

Naruto heaved a soft sigh as he shook his head. Apparently they had made it just in time. Why was it her family couldn't just let her live her life? He gave a slight smile as Rhyuu walked towards them – the rest of the family ignored them completely. Not that Naruto was complaining. It was perfectly fine with him and everyone else involved if Mebuki didn't acknowledge them.

"Oh!" Rhyuu smiled as he stepped into the house. "I am very glad that you all had a safe flight." He bobbed his head. "Yes, I'm sure it was quite a scene." He chuckled at the people he did not recognize. "Let Gaara handle her tonight." He squeezed Naruto's shoulder. "Good to see you son."

Naruto nodded in agreement as he watched the Haruno family climb the stairs and split in different directions. "Well, we should all easily assume that today did not go well."

"Is she going to be okay?" Temari questioned as a frown covered her lips. She had just had her first glimpse of Mebuki Haruno-Kino . . . She was still a little speechless. That woman was something . . . not a single word formed in her mind that didn't make her grimace at the vulgarity of it. She had nothing nice to say. In the few seconds that she had seen Mebuki . . . the woman had already tried to separate Gaara and Sakura.

Naruto chuckled softly at the looks that Temari had. "She will be. Sakura has learned how to hold her own. She knows better than to let Mebuki win." He shrugged as he headed for the informal dining room. "Sometimes Sakura jut releases some anger for therapeutic purposes."

"Really?" Tenten snorted as she took a seat at the rectangular table. "Let's eat and get some sleep, tomorrow could be special."

Kankuro nodded. "We won't be staying too long – with all three of us out of office. . ."

"The children will play," Temari finished with a scowl. "And they do not need to play." She flashed a wide sharp smile. "They need to be making momma some money."

Her brother snorted. "Why so you can replace Gaara's phone once more?"

"Yah!" Temari screeched as a sandwich was placed in front of her. "Thank you sweetie." She smiled sweetly before her devil-like features turned back towards her brother. "Watch it!"

Naruto shook his head. "Thank you Anzu," He grinned as the lady placed the sandwich in front of him. "You can go, I will tidy up like I used to after we are finished."

"Thank you, Naruto." Anzu bowed slightly before taking her exit.