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.

Original Cast | Ryuu Kino | Akio Takahashi | Akira Tanaka | James Tanaka | Leigh Tanaka | Mebuki Haruno

Note It takes place in the "World of Naruto" but it is modernized.

Thirteenth Date | Drowning Prospect

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Naruto frowned. "That is not the way you should bump into him." The frown grew deeper. "You shouldn't have to run into him at all." His mood soured as Itachi filled his mind for a few moments.

He had urged Sakura to be with Itachi. He had thought they were a good match. They had seemed like a good match. And then . . . Before Naruto could blink or speak. Itachi had turned around and slept with Hinata. Which had hurt even more. There had been a small part of him that had liked Hinata. A crush. It had crashed and burned the second Sakura had burst through his door in hysterical tears. Both their hearts had been broken that night.

"I know." Sakura groaned. "Not sure if it gets better though." She huffed out a breath as her shoulders fell. She leaned against Naruto and closed her eyes. "I'm being stupid." The words whispered out into the open air, carrying over the grass. Sakura took another breath. Her lips pursed unhappily.

Naruto kept his voice quiet as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "What do you mean cupcake?" His brows furrowed as he pushed her head to lean against his shoulder. "Tell Uncle Naruto all about it." Naruto's voice was hoarse as he spoke, hunching forward much like an old man would. A smile cracked on his lips as Sakura giggled.

"I'm falling." Sakura's voice stayed soft as a petal as she stared out at the lush green grass of the park. She groaned and squeezed her eyes shut. She took another deep breath. "The way Gaara has handled my family . . ." Sakura shook her head. "I wasn't expecting it?" Her nose scrunched.

Naruto's eyes widened as he blinked a few times. "Oh." She's falling for Gaara? He took a deep breath and waited for her to continue. This was big. And Dangerous. Very dangerous.

.

He had actually picked her up and had threatened to do so again on the way to the bar they currently sat in front of. The valet boy was smiling sweetly as Gaara talked with him. She hadn't gotten out of the car. Yet . . . Sakura blinked a few times as she watched Gaara glance back at her. She knew that look.

Sakura bit her lower lip as she reached for the handle and forced herself out of the car. If she didn't try to get out now, Gaara would very well pull her from the car. Truly, she had made him come all this way . . . It would be rude of her to make him stay in her room with her, right? Or would that be a blessing in disguise with her family?

Sakura groaned and forced herself to shut the door. No turning back now. "I can't do this." She whispered as she felt Gaara lay a hand on her shoulder. "I'm not ready." Sakura swallowed hard. "This is too soon." She twisted around to face him. "There are too many people in there that are going to bring up too many memories." I'm not ready for those memories, I'm not ready for Itachi . . ." She swallowed as she looked up at him.

"Really Blossom," He murmured as he squeezed her shoulder and stepped closer, forcing her to lean back against the car behind them. "I will be with you the entire time." Gaara's voice was soft as it soothed over her. "You will not be forced to do any of this alone." He ran his hands up and down her arms. "Close your eyes."

She swallowed softly and felt her eyes droop as she felt the wind swirl around her gently. The birds chirped their song for all to hear. The gentle hum of the cars passing by on the main road. The sun beamed down on them as if it knew today was meant to be a glorious day – nothing less. Sakura breathed in deeply and settled fully against the car.

"You are an amazing person." Gaara started softly as he studied her. And he could, not only were her eyes closed, but she was supposed to be his fiancé. He was allowed to stare at her all he wanted – not that Sakura needed to know that. "You have no reason to fear anything."

She bit at her lower lip.

"You have accomplished more at your age than a lot of people – and you are still pushing forward." Gaara smiled at the smirk that flashed across her lips. "No one in there will hurt you." He ran his hands over her arms. "There is something you need to hear."

Her brows furrowed as she kept her eyes closed. Something she needed to hear?

"I don't think anyone has told you," Gaara whispered as he looked down at the beautiful woman before him. It was unconscious as he reached forward and cupped her cheek. He let his thumb rub back and forth in a soothing manner across her high cheekbone. "Something you should have been told a long time ago." How could no one say anything to her?

Sakura frowned softly but kept her eyes closed as she listened to him. His deep voice soothed over her, wrapping her in security and a deep-seated peace. Tell me. Her mind whispered as she reached forward and took hold of his bicep, hands curled slowly as she found purchase.

"Itachi was never worthy of you," Gaara spoke quietly as he stared down at the woman. The gentle breeze carried his voice off to settle around Sakura.

Her eyes shot open as she stared at the man before her, stunned. Her dark eyes met his and lost focus. He was never worthy?

"Itachi will never be worthy of you." Gaara's deep voice brooked no argument. And there wasn't a chance in hell he was going to let her fight him on that, or anyone else. It was plain to see, how friends and family had never thought to tell her . . . Gaara was beside himself, then again with Sakura's mother at the helm. It was plausible that Mebuki made sure she was never told.

Sakura swallowed hard and blinked at the man before her.

"Which means, he is not worthy of the time or effort to think of him," Gaara whispered as he let his free arm wrap around her waist and pull her closer.

His cologne filled her senses as she let his words sweep her away into a peaceful bubble made just for the two of them. The gentle breeze covered them in a sweet embrace, soothing the wounds her family had left behind. He is not worthy. Sakura breathed out slowly and let her hands move to rest on his chest.

"You are beautiful." Gaara smiled fondly as he thumb swiped over her cheek once more. "Elegant beyond measure." And it was true, the way she handled her family without stooping to a dirty level. "And sensual," A dark chuckle fell from his lips at the high blush that took over Sakura's cheeks. "You are."

Sakura nodded slowly, too afraid to speak with the onslaught of emotions that trampled over her heart.

"Let him go." Gaara's words were final. "Itachi has no place here." His brows furrowed softly as he hoped he wasn't being too hard on her. Or giving light to the fact of how much he was really falling for her. "Stop giving him space in an area he doesn't fit in."

Oh, Sakura blinked as her emotions tipped. She had been doing that. Doing it for so long . . . that she honestly hadn't realized she was still doing it. Sakura swallowed hard and nodded slowly. I can try.

"Are you ready Blossom?" Gaara took a step back but refused to let go of her completely as he entangled their hands.

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Naruto smiled softly. He likes you too Sakura. He took another sip of his drink. "Are you going to tell him?"

"I doubt it." Sakura snorted. "He was so smooth." Sakura let out a breath. "He never once wavered under Mebuki and her salacious attitude." Sakura shook her head. "I hadn't expected that." She smiled sweetly. "Itachi would flinch or look away." Her voice was soft as it carried. "He never stood up for me. Not like Gaara did."

Naruto smiled sweetly. "That's good. I'm glad he is protecting you." His voice stayed soft, he didn't want to scare her. She seemed fragile at this moment. It was rare. She never seemed like this. Not since . . . not since Itachi broke her heart.

"Yeah." Sakura let out a sharp laugh. "Yeah, oh." She let out a low breath. "It's a business transaction." Another groan fell from Sakura's lips. Her lips curled unhappily, the words left a bitter taste in her mouth.

Naruto squeezed her shoulder. "Tell me."

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Sakura stilled as she stepped in through the doors. A cold weight settled in the pit of her stomach. She squeezed Gaara's arm and led him towards the coat closet.

"Pinky?"

Sakura sucked in a quick breath and held back a groan. She was never going to get away from that awful nickname as long as her Mebuki was involved. She gathered what willpower she could and turned to greet the person who had asked for her attention. "Hello Aunt Hazuki." She squeezed his arm harder.

"Pinky, I thought that was you." She smiled sweetly and stepped closer. Hazuki smiled brightly and squeezed Sakura in a quick hug. "Aw Pinky," Her smile turned sympathetic as she patted Sakura's hand clasped in hers. "That should be you on that altar." She patted Sakura's hand once more.

Sakura froze, eyes blinking as she tried to force herself to breathe normally. Gaara had prepared her for Itachi . . . But this was different. She had liked Hazuki.

"Pinky," Hazuki seemed unaware of the turmoil she was causing the other. "You know you don't have to return the flatware." She patted Sakura's hand once more. Hazuki shook her head and tsked softly. "And the fact that it is Itachi. A true pity dear." Her eyes were soft and filled with pity. "I truly did want you in my family."

Sakura kept the forced smile in place. Elegant, Gaara said she was elegant. Which meant she couldn't release a banshee-like scream and go attack someone.

"Hello," Gaara placed his arm around her waist, pulling her closer. He stared down at Aunt Hazuki. "My name is Gaara Sabaku – her fiancé."

Hazuki's eyes widened as a bright smile clung to her lips. "Oh my!" She clamped her hands. "Mebuki told me nothing!" She smiled sweetly and held out her hand for Gaara to take. "You treat her good." Her eyes narrowed softly. "Better than Itachi did. He might be my flesh and blood – but that was unacceptable."

"Don't worry; I'm not letting her go." He waited a second before shifting Sakura. "Now, if you will excuse us – I want to make sure her coat is taken care of." Gaara flashed a wide smile.

Hazuki smiled. "No worries. I'm off to find Izumi – she's somewhere in this crowd." She waved goodbye as she turned and moved deeper into the pub.

"Thank you." Sakura whispered as she stepped into the coat closet. "That could have been so much better." Sakura groaned as she rubbed her temples – a headache was forming. "Though, that also could have been so much worse," she grumbled. "Thank you for not walking off too." She cringed. Sakura had a feeling she was going to be thanking him a lot during this sad trip down memory lane.

"You will be fine." Gaara murmured. He smiled softly and squeezed her shoulders. "I told you I would be there." He smiled. "This is a business transaction. We made a verbal contract – I will see it through."

Sakura nodded. Right.

.

Naruto frowned softly. "I don't understand Sakura." He had missed something.

"I don't either!" She groaned and hid her face behind her hands. "All I know is that I can't stop . . . thinking about him." Sakura shook her head. "I want to be with him. I want to be in his arms. Kiss him. Touch him." A blush covered her cheeks. She released a slow breath. "Naruto, this is not good."

Naruto shook his head and wrapped his arm around her. He understood that. That wasn't what was missing. Naruto brought her closer as he stretched out on the bench. "Everything will be fine." He soothed to the best of his ability. "Gaara doesn't normally act like that." He chewed on his lower lip.

"That's my point." Sakura hissed out. "This is a business arrangement." Her cheeks puffed out. "I gave him money!" She bit her lower lip and focused on the physical pain as the emotional pain tried to take control. "He said this is a business transaction."

Naruto pulled her closer. "Even though, he doesn't normally act like that." His voice was soft as he tried to soothe her. "It'll be okay."

"I'm just not sure what to feel." Sakura's nose scrunched unhappily as she let out a slow breath. "I mean . . . He says it's a business transaction . . ." She trailed off as she bit her lower lip. "But the things he does, says – that's not a business transaction." Sakura's shoulders dropped as she exhaled slowly. "I'm lost."

Naruto shook his head. "This is my fault." His lips pulled down into a frown. "I should never have introduced you two." He rubbed his hand up and down her arm.

"It's fine." Sakura shook her head and she rested it against Naruto's shoulder. "I'm just being silly." She huffed out a breath and rolled her eyes. "I knew what I was getting into. I asked for this." Her nose scrunched. "It's fine. I think I'm just over-emotional because of Mebuki and all of her drama."

He snorted and ran his free hand through his blonde hair. "That woman could turn any sane man into a psycho."

"True," Sakura murmured with a giggle. "I guess we should be getting back."

Naruto nodded and stood, taking her with him. "Yes, we do need a little more shopping." He flashed a wide smile and pulled her back towards the shopping center. "I want to take you to Charming Charlie's." His eyes flashed brightly. "It is a great store. Everything is color-coded."

"Really?" Sakura smiled widely. "That sounds amazing." She laughed as Naruto pulled on her arm.

He chuckled. "And a section of just coral." Naruto laughed out loud at her squeal. "I figured your OCD would be entranced – and then having a section of your favorite color." He shrugged. "I couldn't rightly call me your best friend if I didn't take you."

"That is very true." Sakura giggled.