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
Nineteenth Date | Breaking Facade
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He cast a swift glare in Mebuki's direction before moving towards the house. She was going to get hers. He'd make sure of it.
Naruto followed dragging a stumbling Sasuke with him.
Mebuki stood gasping. "Let him go this instance!" She snarled and stomped towards the two. "How dare you handle Sasuke like that!"
Itachi stood quickly. He glanced down at his younger brother - the swollen jaw instantly telling him what happened.
"Oh!" Mebuki screeched. "LET HIM GO!" She shook her head. A frustrated sigh fell from her lips as her hands fluttered over Sasuke's swelling jaw. "I have never stood for such cruelty. Bullying is unacceptable in this household." Mebuki glared at the blonde-haired male.
Naruto winced. Damn harpy! He stood his ground and kept himself between Sasuke and the door leading to Sakura. "He deserved it." His eyes narrowed as they locked in on the cowering male. "And more."
"You hit him? How could you?" Mebuki stalked forward and slapped the blonde-haired boy. "I told him to go find Sakura! He did nothing wrong!" She snarled. Fury burned within her as she stared at Sakura's friends. Why were they always getting in the way!?
Time froze.
"Mother!" Hinata exclaimed. "What happened?" Why had she sent Sasuke after her, everyone knew how Sakura felt about him.
Mebuki twisted around facing her daughter. "Nothing honey." She cooed. "Naruto and Sasuke got into a bit of an unneeded tussle."
"What?" Naruto and Itachi frowned.
Mebuki glared at the three boys while pushing Hinata back towards the table. "Go finish your food."
"Why are you lying to her?" Naruto snapped. "Doesn't she deserve to know about the family she's marrying into?" He couldn't help it. The woman was evil and brought out the evil in everyone else.
Mebuki turned back towards the blonde. "I am not lying! There are things she just doesn't need to know!" Mebuki huffed. "She doesn't need any type of extra unnecessary stress while she is getting ready to be married."
"Sasuke," Itachi frowned but stayed quiet on that subject. His teeth gnashed together behind his closed lips. "Sasuke come. I'm going to send him home."
Mebuki touched his shoulder. "There is no need. Sasuke is perfectly fine." She turned back to the younger Uchiha. "Should we get you ice for that?"
"Thank you," Sasuke smirked at Naruto as he stood, brushing the dirt off. "No ma'am. I'll be fine."
Mebuki smiled. "That's good." She stared at the elder Uchiha. "Come back to the table Itachi. Go sit by your fiancée. Stop worrying about things you shouldn't." Her eyes narrowed.
"Okay," Itachi paled and nodded. He grabbed Sasuke - roughly - by the upper arm and dragged him toward the table.
Mebuki whirled back around to Naruto.
"What do you have on him?" Naruto asked pointedly. He tried to keep his voice low, but he was done backing down. Mebuki had caused Sakura enough pain.
Mebuki laughed softly. "Nothing."
"You're lying." A smirk wormed its way across his lips. "Does Hinata know?" Naruto cocked his head to the side as he studied the other's features. "IS that why you are acting the way you are towards Gaara, does he know?" He chuckled darkly at the look that twisted on the older woman's face. "Don't worry, if I'm curious . . . I'll ask him."
Naruto left Mebuki standing by herself as he followed after Gaara. He made sure they got to Sakura's room before turning away. A deep sigh fell from his lips.
"Is she gonna be okay?"
He jolted from his thoughts to stare at the young woman in front of him. "You should go back."
"I have a few minutes before she would start to suspect I'm not in the bathroom," Hinata whispered as she edged closer. Her fingers twisted around each other as worry consumed her. "Gaara got to her in time right. . .?"
Naruto frowned and nodded.
"Good," Hinata swallowed hard as she turned. Her shoulders dropped as she made her way towards the stairs.
He bit at his lower lip as he followed behind her. Naruto stopped at the edge of the steps watching as she began her trek back down them. "You know, she shouldn't treat or use you the way she does either." He licked at his dry lips. "Sure, it's different than how she treats Sakura . . . but that doesn't mean it's okay."
Hinata stuttered to a stop on the steps. Her jaw clenched. She took a deep breath before continuing down the stairs. This is my punishment for how my mother treats her. Hinata's hand glided along the railing as she moved towards the bottom of the stairs. "Atonement," Hinata whispered.
. .
Sakura flinched slightly as Gaara pulled her hands away from her body. She knew it wasn't his touch. But, touching wasn't . . . she didn't, she couldn't.
"Stop it, Blossom."
Sakura's brows furrowed as looked up to glare at the redhead. "You have no right to tell me what to do!" She yanked her hands away and went back to scratching her red and swelling skin. She needed to not feel his touch.
Gaara's brows furrowed as his lips pursed. He yanked her hands away before pulling her forward roughly. Gaara wrapped her into a fierce hug. "You're fine Blossom." He kept his voice even as he hugged her closer and did his best to get her to realize she was safe. "I'm sorry Blossom."
"It wasn't your fault . . ." She whispered softly as she gripped the material of Gaara's shirt around his shoulder blades and hugged him back tightly. She felt dirty. She could still see him. Still feel his skin against hers. Why could she still feel him? Why?
Gaara hugged her even tighter. "You're fine Blossom." He dropped his head to her shoulder and let his lips rest against her ear as he whispered. "It's just me and you. No one else." He rocked side to side. "Me and you."
Sakura breathed him in deeply. Just me and Gaara. No one else. Me and Gaara.
"You want to go lay in bed?" Gaara asked softly. He didn't want to jostle the calming girl. "I can hold you if you want. . .I'll keep you safe." His hands ran up and down her back soothingly. "Just me and you." His eyes darkened as he got her to look directly at him. "No one else."
She nodded slowly and let him pull her towards the bed. Sakura shivered slightly as his arms wrapped around her, lifting her up and placing her under the covers.
Seconds after Gaara removed his nightshirt and crawled into bed, he pulled Sakura to him. The first thing he did after getting Sakura to their room was to go to the shower. He turned the water on and stepped into the shower fully dressed with her in his arms.
She held onto him. Cried against his chest as the water ran over their skin. Once her tears had dried she stepped back from him.
"Okay," He'd whispered as she asked to shower alone. Gaara placed a chaste kiss on her lips. "I will be right outside this curtain if you need me.
. . .
2o minutes later, Sakura sat up on the bed as the door was flung open. A sigh fell from her lips as she stared at the person on the other side of the door.
"Oh Baby!"
Sakura giggled softly. "Hey Akira." She whispered softly as she nestled back against Gaara's warmth.
Akira smiled softly and plopped down on the comfy bed. "You okay baby?" Her dark indigo curls framed her face. Akira's head tilted slightly as she glanced at Gaara. "Thank you for protecting her."
Gaara smiled. He rubbed and patted Sakura's arm as he moved her gently. "I'll give you a few." He kissed Sakura's forehead before standing from the bed.
Akira purred and winked at Gaara. "You look hot in nothing but grey plaid flannel pants."
"Really," Gaara chuckled and shook his head. "You know . . . Sakura said the same thing earlier."
Sakura's eyes widened as her cheeks tinged a scarlet red. "H-HEY!"
Gaara chuckled as he shut the door behind him.
Akira smiled. "So they left?"
"Yeah," Sakura heaved a soft sigh."Mebuki said there wasn't enough room in the chapel." She shrugged. "So that meant there was no reason for all of them to stay."
Akira rolled her eyes. "Liar."
"Of course." Sakura nodded. "I already know this."
Akira nodded. "Who stayed?"
Sakura's lips pursed. "Naruto, Tenten, and Neji." She shifted under the covers. "Neji and Gaara are good friends."
Akira heaved a sigh. "Are you okay? Really, okay?" She moved to lie beside Sakura on the bed. "I know Gaara got to you before..." She bit her lower lip in thought. "But I also know this isn't the first time." She bit her lower lip and stared worriedly at her friend. "I couldn't bear it if something had actually happened." She looked down tracing the pattern on the bedspread. "It practically kills me knowing something could have happened and I wasn't there." Akira heaved a sigh and sniffled.
What kind of best friend couldn't protect a friend?
Sakura heaved a small sigh. "It's okay Akira."
"You can say that, but that doesn't mean I'll listen right away." She nodded and hugged the girl.
Sakura pouted and rolled over cuddling into Akira's waiting arms. She nodded against the other. "Yeah . . . I shouldn't have been that stupid. I shouldn't have gone alone." I know better.
"I heard Hanabi hit on Gaara." Akira gossiped smoothly. Smugness unparalleled with any other laced her voice.
Sakura feigned bored. Though inside her stomach coiled with nervousness. She hummed. "So?"
Akira smirked. "Jealousy is an ugly thing, love." She pointed at the pink-haired girl and wagged her finger. "God don't like ugly honey." She smirked.
"I'm sorry, I don't know that word." Sakura snorted at the look she received. "Am not."
Her smirk widened. "Yes, you are." A laugh bubbled in her chest. "You so are!"
. . .
He smiled softly as he shut the door on the two giggling girls. It was good that Akira had come. Sakura needed some girl time. Yes, he was glad he was the one that was there to save her. But he also knew she needed a moment of just girl time. He walked down the stairs and towards the kitchen.
Miss Minny - the chef cook - had made a couple of apple pies for dinner. Apple pie sounded good right about now. He rubbed his flat 6pck darkly tanned and toned stomach as hunger rumbled. Yep, apple pie sounded good. Very good.
"What is wrong with you!"
Gaara stopped short at the bottom of the stairs. His dark red eyebrows furrowed. Who could possibly be arguing in the kitchen this late? Hadn't everyone called it an early night - for the wedding and the scene made at lunch?
"I thought that was what you wanted?" A voice exclaimed in reply.
She growled. "Why would I want you to almost rape Sakura?" A long frustrated sigh was heaved. "Why would I want that Sasuke?"
Gaara froze. That's Mebuki and Sasuke? He growled. She had planned this? The reason Sakura had been tormented by the younger Uchiha was because of her own mother?
"You idiot!"
"What the hell is your problem?" Gaara snarled as he pushed the double-swinging kitchen door open.
Three people jumped as the door swung.
Three?
Gaara snarled loudly. Itachi. . . The third was Itachi. "How could you?" He glared at Mebuki. "Your own daughter?" He looked at Itachi. "Your own fiancée?" He glanced at Sasuke. Pure disgust was etched on his features.
Mebuki scoffed.
Gaara twisted and stalked towards her. "You!" He pointed at her. "You are a bitch!"
Mebuki's eyes widened as her jaw dropped. "How dare you!"
"Gaara!" Itachi exclaimed. "Please, lower your voice."
Gaara snorted. "No!" Disbelief colored his angry voice. Why in the world would he lower his voice? He had every right to be angry.
They had done this to her. Turned her into a self-conscious, self-loathing, cynical, and family-hating woman. They had done it. They had. Because of them, she believed she wasn't good enough. She was the outcast. She was the nobody. She was unloved because they made her feel that way!
NO! He would not calm down. They had hurt the woman he loved. Gaara's eyes widened on their own accord at the sudden revelation. Loved? Could He? Did he? Yes. Yes he did. He loved Sakura. The fiery look returned. His dark green blazed with fury.
They had hurt the woman he loved.
"Listen here!" Sasuke stepped closer.
"Give me another reason to hit you!" Gaara edged closer. "Come on. Pick on someone who'll pick back." His head cocked to the side. "Or do you only like going after defenseless women?" His hands curled into fists. "Punk ass bitch!"
Sasuke took a step back. His eyes wide as his jaw slackened. He stumbled back a step.
Itachi moved forward. "Hey now . . . there is no need for name calling or violence." His voice was steady and calm. This did not need to escalate more than it already had. It was easy for Itachi to tell Gaara would not be the one who backed down.
"Oh," Gaara snorted. "Right, I should be like you. Roll over and be a good puppy." He stared directly at Itachi.
Itachi flinched. The gleam in the red heads turbulent green eyes was unnerving. Deadly and unnerving.
"Did you get a treat after you broke Sakura's heart?" Gaara turned back towards Mebuki. "You are a horrid woman." Gaara glared at Itachi. "If you don't tell her I will." He looked pointedly at all three of them.
Mebuki snorted. "She is my daughter I can do as I please."
Gaara glared. "And she is my fiancée."
Mebuki took a small step back - as if she had received a physical blow. Her eyes were wide. What?
"I will not allow you to continue hurting her." He glared down at Sasuke. "Don't even look at her." He turned lastly to Itachi. "You're a coward. You're not good enough for either girl." Gaara let out a breath through his teeth. He'd rather be in a board meeting with a bulldog then have to continue dealing with this family. Gaara truly understood Sakura's warning now.
Mebuki snorted.
Gaara turned directly towards her. "You are unfit to be a mother." He shook his head. "You shouldn't have been allowed to have children."
Mebuki's eyes widened as her jaw dropped.
"Finish this. . ." he hissed. Gaara twisted on his heels. The apple pie lay, forgotten, on its glass throne - protected by a glass shield.
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Akira hugged Sakura. "Well, I'm glad you're better." She smiled softly. "You know . . . he really loves you."
Sakura frowned and cocked her head to the side. "Who?"
She shook her head. "Gaara, who else?" She giggled. "Why wouldn't your fiancé be in love with you?"
Sakura blushed. "Y-yeah. . ."
Akira stared at her best friend skeptically. "Ookay..." She twisted towards Sakura and hugged her closer. "You're like my little sister. I will always love you and do my best to never lie and always protect you." Akira smiled and kissed her forehead. "Love ya baby."
She froze at Akira's declaration. Never lie. . . Sakura jumped as the door opened.
"Hello ladies. Did you have an informative talk?" Gaara wiggled his eyebrows. "You talked about me the whole time . . . huh?"
Akira giggled and stood. "Cocky."
"Well," Gaara winked. "I try."
She shook her head. "I'm going to take my leave." She smiled as Gaara slipped back under the covers and brought Sakura to him instantly. "See you tomorrow for the wedding."
Sakura smiled and watched as Akira shut the door quietly. Slowly her smile dropped. Yes, tomorrow is the wedding...