Book One: The Wedding Date Chapter 18: 18th Date: Approaching Shame, a naruto fanfic

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.

Warnings | Clear adult-like content is present in the form of an attempted adult theme (if that is a trigger for you -it's okay to skip this chapter) The next chapter picks up in a place where you have an understanding without having to be triggered by anything here.

Eighteenth Date | Approaching Shame

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Sakura hummed to herself as she looked through the rows of wine. The question was, was this her father's wine for dealing with Mebuki. Or was this wine Mebuki's way to ignore her father? Sakura wasn't too sure if she wanted either question answered. She bit at her lower lip as she continued through the rows. Someone had redesigned the wine. It wasn't in the same place it once was.

Click.

A small smile wormed its way across her lips. Gaara had come after her. She glanced down at the watch on her wrist. She had been taking a little longer than originally planned. "You didn't have to come after me." She called out as she twisted down another row. Got you! Sakura grinned and grabbed the bottle she had been looking for. "You can head back up, I'm coming." She glanced down at the bottle and smiled she had a couple of really funny memories with this brand of wine.

"If I remember correctly, you are a clumsy little flower."

She froze. That was not Gaara. That was not his voice at all. Sakura swallowed hard and gripped the bottleneck tightly.

"I missed you."

She took a step back. No, this can't happen again. It can't. "No." She was not weak nor would she pretend to be. He might terrify her, but she was not going to back down. Not this time.

He chuckled and moved closer. "You missed me didn't you flower? Didn't you?"

"No." Sakura shook her head vigorously. "No." Her brows furrowed as she took another step away from the male. Sakura was going to keep as much room between them for as long as she could. Her hand gripped the bottle. It might be her favorite wine . . . but she'd break it over his head if need be.

He tsked softly and shook his head. "Flower," he reprimanded playfully. "Don't lie." Sasuke cooed gently. The cruel smirk splayed on his lips; any and all illusion of innocence gone.

"Stop it." Sakura shivered. She took a step back. Fear set in. She knew, soon she'd run out of steps. Sakura looked at the exit. There was only one way in and one way out. She licked her dry lips. Her skin turned pale.

Where was Gaara?

Didn't he say he'd always protect me? Her eyes flickered back and forth between the closed cellar door and Sasuke.

He smirked. "There's nowhere to run, my little flower." His head cocked to the side. He licked his lips while his eyes stalked every delicious curve of her body. "I can't wait to pluck you."

Sakura twisted and ran towards the cellar isles. Maybe she could out-hide him till someone realized something was amiss. There used to be a back door. . . Sakura froze as she came to a dead end. But I thought. . . This can't be happening.

"You didn't know?" Sasuke smirked as he walked slowly towards her. "Your father had things added on." He stepped closer. "They took out the back exit."

Sakura gulped and turned to face Sasuke as he leered at her. She sucked her lower lip into her mouth and inched backward. She glared at him and raised the bottle. If she was going down - everyone was going to know who did it.

He smirked as he chuckled to himself. He finally had his flower all to himself.

Sakura's eyes flitted back and forth. She licked her lips and kept herself poised to swing. If he was dumb enough to come after her . . . Then he was strong enough to take the hit.

"Don't be mean, flower." Sasuke taunted softly. "Your mother believes we would make a good couple." A wide smile covered his lips. "Don't you want to make her happy?" He tsked softly as he stalked closer. "You won't hurt me."

She frowned. Like hell she wouldn't. She tightened her grip on the bottle. Sakura watched his movements closely. She would have to make sure her hit made perfect contact if she was going to use it as a distraction. She raised the bottle higher and bided her time. Sakura was done being a victim. As he stepped closer eyes fluttering to her lips, Sakura swung hard catching him in the side of the head.

Sakura watched him stagger and make an opening for her to escape. She took it. She swallowed hard and forced her jelly legs to move her down the rows. She needed to get to Gaara. A garbled scream fell from her lips as her hair was pulled, yanking her back. That hurt.

"Did you seriously hit me?" Sasuke hissed as he glared at her.

Her cheek burned as her head twisted to the side from the brunt force of the hit. She blinked as tears welled up in her eyes, stars bursting forward clouding her vision. Sakura forced herself to stay lucid as he swung at her again. A second hit. She stumbled, losing her balance. She crawled; there was no way in hell she was going to give up.

"Where do you think you are going?" Sasuke taunted as he reached for her ankle and yanked.

A scream tore from her lips as she pulled back. Sakura twisted around on her back and used her free leg to kick at him, connecting with his stomach. She pulled back and put as much force as possible into the kick as she positioned lower than his stomach. He didn't know how to use them correctly, he didn't need them.

He dropped to the ground with a grunt but tightened his grip on her leg as he yanked. She wasn't going anywhere; she was going to be his.

"Oh!" Sakura gasped as her vision blurred. A third hit. Her vision swam as pain pulsed through her. She swallowed droplets of blood as she tried to focus. He'd broken skin. She wasn't going to let him win.

Sasuke's free hand traveled from her side – ghosting over her chest – and moving down her side. The trailed over her leg before rising back up – taking the material with it. "Your skin is softer than I remember." He murmured against her neck. "So soft." He whispered. Sasuke's lips ghosted over her jaw and down her neck. Stopping at her shoulder to lay an open mouth kiss on the silky skin.

"We both know she can't keep you satisfied," Hanabi smirked.

He paused. "Excuse me?"

"Oh, please." Hanabi snorted. "She couldn't keep Itachi." She waved her hand as he attempted to open his mouth. "And Sasuke never wanted her - it's why she made up that story." She stared at the male head-on. "You honestly can't be fooled by this sad little victim charade . . . can you?"

Gaara slammed the tray down on the counter. Now he was pissed. "Listen here," he hissed viciously. "She is not, nor has she ever been like that. You on the other hand . . ." He left the words hanging in the air. "You, you are offering yourself to me . . . so blatantly." His head cocked to the side in question. Eyebrows rose as he waited for her reply.

Hanabi's eyes widened. "G-Gaara?" She took a step back as if she had been burned. Hanabi bit her lower lip and moved in front of him when Gaara tried to leave. She looked at him through her thickly mascara-covered lashes. "Don't be like that. . ." she cooed gently.

"Move, whore . . ." Gaara hissed before shoving past her. There were times - few and far in between times - when being a gentleman was out of the question. "A whore should know their place . . . and it's on the streets on their knees." He sneered before leaving the kitchen. If Mebuki thought she could play his game . . . Well, then by all means, he'd play.

Hanabi stood frozen. Her jaw slacked as her eyes were wide - blinking repeatedly in disbelief.

Gaara shook his head and headed towards the pergola. He smiled - taking a moment to shoot a side glare at Mebuki. He froze. Where was Sakura? Was she still grabbing a wine bottle? He'd been accosted by Hanabi, she should have been back. There was a chance she should have come after him with how long - both of them were gone.

"Where is Sakura?"

Mebuki waved the question off. "Where is Hanabi?" Her head tilted to the side as her eyes twinkled. As if she was expecting something to have happened. She truly was a horrid person.

And he was going to put her in her place. Gaara shrugged. "I don't know. I didn't see her."

"Hmm," Mebuki deflated immediately.

Gaara hid his smug smirk while turning to Naruto. He stopped mid-step. Sasuke was not at the table. Gaara's breath hitched. A bad feeling coiled in his stomach. I'll take good care of you . . . The phrase became a mantra in his mind. "Something's wrong."

Naruto's eyes widened as he stood quickly. The chair fell on the ground behind him.

Gaara took lead and raced towards the cellar.

Sakura continued to struggle in vain. "Let me go!" She snapped as he removed his hand from her mouth. She growled as he laughed. She took a deep breath and began to scream. Sakura lashed out at the male on top of her. Her nails raked down his skin.

"Hush." Sasuke's eyes widened as he covered her open mouth. "Be quiet!" He hissed. She was not going to ruin his plan.

Sakura's eyes narrowed. Fine, she was going to play dirty.

"What?" Sasuke yelled out and pulled back. She bit me? "You bit me!" His eyes widened. Sasuke leaned back for a second before reaching for her neck. She needed to be plaint.

Sakura's head swan as her eyes watered. Her lip stung. Sakura's hands reached for his around her neck as she struggled to breathe. She clenched her eyes closed as the room swam.

"How dare you!"

Sakura's breath hitched as she worked her jaw open. She tried to scream, but nothing came out as his hands clamped down on her windpipe. She did her best to struggle, trying to jostle him off balance. Sakura needed to breathe.

"You know I always liked them feisty," Sasuke smirked and edged closer. "But you being plaint will make this so much easier." He chuckled as he felt her stop struggling. He loosened his grip. "There, was that so difficult?"

She sucked in a deep breath, her lungs burned with the force. Her skin crawled as she felt his hands move over her body once more. She winced as he squeezed and groped.

He held up an index finger. "If you bite me one more time. . ." He left the threat hanging.

"You'll what?" A much deeper voice questioned darkly.

Sakura and Sasuke froze.

Sakura heaved a small sigh. "Gaara," she whimpered. Unshed tears made her emerald eyes glitter. Her voice was hoarse, cracking as she spoke. Get him off. Get him off. Get him off! Her mind pleaded silently as she stared at the redhead.

Gaara growled possessively as he saw the forming hickeys. He moved forward. Sasuke would die. Later though, Sakura was more important. He wrapped an arm around his neck and yanked him up and off - throwing him against a wine rack. Gaara watched the man clamber to a standing position before he swung.

A sickening crack was heard as Sasuke's head twisted sharply to the side. He yelled out in pain as he fell to his knees holding his swelling jaw.

"Blossom," Gaara shoved the whimpering male out of the way and scooped Sakura into his arms. "I'm sorry. . . so sorry." He whispered against her neck. His eyes narrowed at the red abrasions he could see, whelps forming.

The arms around Sakura's waist squeezed tighter as they lifted her. A protective warmth surrounded her. Safe. Sakura felt safe. Sakura wrapped her arms securely around his shoulders. She buried her face against his neck and breathed in deeply. His scent had always been calming.

"Come on," he whispered in her ear as he lifted her. He wrapped one arm securely around her back, while the other tugged her legs closed and bent them at the knee. Gaara lifted her bridal style and moved towards the exit of the wine cellar. Gaara hugged her tighter as his neck became wet.

She was crying.

"Sakura?" Naruto exclaimed as he made sure to keep himself between Gaara and Sasuke. He kept a tight grip on Sasuke's jacket as he tried to move. "I will hit you."