Your Heart in My Hand

A/N: Hey guys. Once again, I would like to thank you for your support. Frankly, I didn't think this fic would even get any views so I'm really surprised at the number of views I've had so far. I appreciate it. I also wanted to apologise if I take a bit longer for updates because I'm slammed with work most of the time so… T-T

A little warning: This fic is an AU so characters will definitely be OOC.

Without further ado, enjoy the third chapter of Your Heart in My Hand.

Inspired by Fujiwara Kiyo's Wild Ones.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Chapter 3: Danger, Red Hair

"Sasuke-kun," Sakura whispered.

"Sakura-sama?"

They were in the office now, waiting for someone to attend to them.

"Could you, erm, let go of my hand please?" Sakura said softly, blushing furiously.

"Oh. Right. I'm sorry," Sasuke muttered, letting her hand drop to her side. He hadn't realised he was still gripping on to her hand. Red stained the cheeks of his pale face. He turned so she wouldn't see.

"Oh? Sasuke-kun? How may I help?" a black haired lady came from one of the rooms in the office. She was smiling at the both of them.

"Yes, Shizune-sensei. Could you give me 2 copies of Haruno Sakura-sama's timetable please."

Eh? Sakura turned to Sasuke and arched her eyebrow. Shizune caught it.

"Not to worry, Sakura-chan. We at the office are aware of your special background," she said with a wink before going to the room she had come from.

It didn't take long for Shizune to return. Sakura took a look at her timetable and saw that she had Science first.

They left the office and Sasuke took 1 copy of the timetable from her.

"I'll need this so that I can know your whereabouts. Also, could we please exchange numbers please?"

Sakura knew it was only because he needed to keep in contact with her as her bodyguard but her heart still skipped a beat. A guy had never asked for her number before. Well, she hadn't had much chances to interact with the opposite gender since she had been home schooled her whole life.

After they had exchanged numbers, Sasuke led her to her first class. The bell rang to signal that students had only 10 minutes before class officially started.

"Erm, Sasuke-kun?"

"Yes, Sakura-sama?"

"Won't you be late for your own class?"

Sasuke turned to her and shook his head.

"Well, yes but it doesn't matter. You're more important."

Sakura blushed.

Sasuke knocked on the door.

"Yamato-sensei, this is Haruno Sakura. She's new to Konoha High," Sasuke announced as he gently pushed her into the class.

Yamato arched his eyebrow. In all his teaching years, he had never seen Sasuke invested in anyone's business- especially one concerning the opposite gender. He laughed inwardly.

"Alright, thank you Sasuke. Sakura, please come in."

Before Sakura could walk in, Sasuke grabbed her hand. Sakura could hear the girls in her class gasp.

"I'll be waiting outside your classroom when it's time for lunch," Sasuke said, staring into her eyes.

Sakura gulped and nodded. Sasuke leaned into her ear.

"See you later, Sakura-sama," he whispered.

Sakura blushed. She could feel all eyes on her.

When Sasuke left, Yamato had introduced her to the class and assigned her next to an Uzumaki Karin. The red head had not stopped glaring at her ever since she sat down next to her and occasionally mumbled angrily under her breath.

Cells were the topic covered in Science today. Though, Sakura had already learnt about it during her lessons with her mother, she was still happy to learn it again. She had been able to answer most of the questions, earning her praise from her sensei. She could feel Karin fuming beside her.

When class ended, Sakura had stood up to leave when a hand roughly pulled her back into her chair.

Karin was glaring at her with utmost hatred.

"Look here you little know-it-all. Try anything with my Sasuke and I'll kill you. He's mine and he'll never like someone like you," she spat.

Karin stood up and left in a huff, a few girls trailing after her, snickering at Sakura.

Sakura didn't need Karin to tell her all that. She knew Sasuke would never like her. Moreover, she knew he only saw her as his boss's granddaughter, nothing more. He was only talking to her and caring for her because he had no choice. She sighed and got up to go to her next class.

"Alright, please remember to hand up your consent form for next week's field trip to the museum and you can all go off for your lunch break," Kakashi, her history teacher said before dismissing everyone.

When Sakura exited her class, she saw Sasuke leaning beside the door.

"Hey," he said when he saw her.

"Hey…"

Sasuke looked at her, confused. She had been in a good mood when he left her.

"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, turning her so she would face him.

It rang so clearly in Sakura's mind. He'll never like someone like you.

"I'm fine. It's nothing. I'm hungry, let's go," she said, smiling.

Sasuke nodded, he knew she wasn't okay but he didn't want to push it.

It was easy to spot their table once they entered the cafeteria. Naruto's and Ino's blonde hair stood out like sore thumbs amongst the sea of dark coloured hair.

"Ah, Sakura! Sasuke!" Naruto called out. They had agreed on calling Sakura sans honorifics while there were in school in order to avoid suspicion.

Hinata was wedged between Neji and Naruto, who was slurping on his udon. Hinata, worry etched on her face and Neji were having a hushed conversation. Ino was sitting on the opposite side with Sai, who was doodling again, though he still answered Ino when she spoke to him. Suigetsu was nowhere to be seen.

Sakura took a seat next to Ino and the blonde turned to give her a smile.

"How were your classes, Sakura-sama?" Sasuke asked, while eating his food.

"Hmm? They were okay. I've already learned most of the topics so I could keep up," Sakura said, with a grin.

Sasuke nodded, impressed. He had thought he would have had to tutor her. Secretly, he was disappointed that he couldn't.

"That's good. If you need any help I could-"

"I could tutor you, Sakura-sama,"Suigetsu said suddenly, from behind Sakura.

"Fuck off, Suigetsu," Sasuke said, glaring.

"Ooh, touchy," Suigetsu said, laughing.

Suigetsu took a seat beside Sasuke and Sakura was very aware that Sasuke's shoulder were now touching hers. She tried moving nearer to Ino but Sasuke would move too when she did. She hoped that he couldn't hear her heart, now beating like a jackhammer.

"Hey, hey, everyone listen up. I was thinking, since summer vacation is coming soon, we should all go on a trip! What say you guys?" Naruto asked, looking at everyone expectantly.

Ino and Sai agreed immediately. Neji had said he would think about it but upon encouragement from Hinata, also agreed.

Sasuke turned to Sakura.

"Sakura-sama, would you like us to go?"

Huh? Sakura felt her heart almost leap out of her ribcage.

"Ah… I…"

Naruto interrupted. "Oh come on, Sakura-sama. If you don't go, Sasuke can't as well."

Oh. Sakura felt her cheeks redden from embarrassment. Of course. She should have known. He couldn't leave her alone- he was her bodyguard.

"Erm, I…"

Suigetsu interjected.

"Well, Sasuke could go and I'll be her interim bodyguard," Suigetsu said, propping his chin on his hand, elbow on the table. "We could get to know each other while everyone is away eh, Sakura-sama?"

Suigetsu wiggled his eyebrows and Sakura giggled.

Sasuke shoved Suigetsu off the bench.

"What the fuck, Sasuke?!"

Everyone laughed and Suigetsu scowled at Sasuke.

"I guess it would be fun to go. I'm in. Sasuke-kun?" Sakura turned to look at the black haired male.

"Of course."

When lunch was over, Sasuke walked Sakura to her next class. She had English next and coincidentally, Ino was also in the same class.

"Sasuke, you don't have to walk Sakura to class. I'm with her," Ino said, arching her eyebrow.

Sasuke ignored her.

When they got to the classroom, Sasuke stopped Sakura before she went in.

"Sakura-sama, I'll be waiting outside later when your last class ends. I'll-"

"Erm, actually, I'll be going to the art room to sign up for an extra-curricular class after school so you can head home first," Sakura said. "It'll probably take a while."

Sasuke shook his head.

"I'll be waiting outside the art room then. We'll go home together."

Resigned, Sakura nodded and went into her classroom. Ino had already taken a seat and gestured for Sakura to sit next to her.

Ino began even before Sakura sat down.

"So, you and Sasuke eh?" Ino said, a smirk on her face.

What? Sakura's face reddened.

"Huh? Oh, no. He's… he's just my bodyguard."

Ino shook her head.

"Come on, Sakura. I saw the look on your face when he held your hand. And look, your face is really red right now," Ino said laughing.

Sakura looked away and tried to cover her face with her hands but Ino gently pried them away.

"You know, being in love is nothing to be ashamed of," Ino said.

Sakura nodded, slowly.

"I know. I'm not ashamed. I'm afraid," Sakura whispered.

Before Ino could ask why, class started.

Sakura was thankful she had her remaining other classes away from Ino. It wasn't that she didn't like her- Sakura liked her a lot in fact. She had a lot of confidence, something Sakura wished she also possessed. But she couldn't take any more questions regarding her love life. It was too painful.

Though, Sakura was far from heartbroken now. It was finally the end of school and she was making her way to the art room. She had managed to ask Ino about the co-curricular activity and learnt that Sai had actually been a member before quitting. When Sakura asked why, Ino had said that Sai didn't like the people there. That got Sakura a little worried but she wouldn't let anything spoil her happiness now.

The art room was surprisingly quiet. Sakura knocked and a deep voice answered her.

"Come in."

Sakura took a step in and her eyes widened. What greeted her were stacks of canvases placed neatly in a corner, different kinds of paint medium from famous brands were in a shelf, thousands of colour pencils decorated the top of the cupboards and well, it went on and on.

"Most new recruits have that same look on their faces when they see what we have," the same deep voice said with a chuckle.

Sakura turned to the easel furthest from the door and saw that it came from a red haired male. He gestured at her to come nearer and Sakura slowly stepped forward. She realised, he was the only one in the room.

When she was about a metre away, he stood up and stuck out his hand.

"Hello. My name is Sasori. I'm the president of the Art Club. I assume you're here to sign up? You are?"

Sakura shook his hand and tried to ignore the small jolt of electricity that had surged through her when they touched.

"Hi. I'm Haruno Sakura. I'm a first year. I would like to join the Art Club as a member please," she said, smiling shyly.

Sasori's eyes widened slightly.

"Haruno Sakura huh? You're the new student aren't you?"

Sakura nodded.

"Are you the same year as I am?" she asked, curious.

Sasori shook his head and laughed softly.

"I'm in my third year actually."

Sakura couldn't help but gasp in shock. Sasori looked so… young.

"Oh! I'm sorry, Sasori-senpai," Sakura said with a bow.

Sasori chuckled.

"You don't have to apologise. I get that a lot. I see it as a compliment," he grinned.

After filling up some papers, Sasori had asked Sakura if she would like to try painting.

She had of course, agreed.

"But I'm not good at it though," she said, a little embarrassed.

"Hey, it's okay. Everyone starts at the bottom. Why not try painting a simple painting of, hmm, that," Sasori said as he pointed to the outside of the window where a lone cherry blossom stood.

"Eh? A cherry blossom tree?"

"Yeap. Sakura are beautiful, no?" Sasori said, staring into her eyes.

Sakura averted her gaze, but she still felt a tiny amount of blush creep to her face.

"Well, shall we start? I'll paint with you," Sasori said handing her a paint brush and a box of Liquidtex Basics. "You can use any easel you want."

Sakura decided on the easel directly opposite of Sasori. She first sketched out the tree, using a white charcoal pencil. Once she was satisfied, she proceeded to slowly colour in the background. As she did her work, she noticed Sasori occasionally staring at her. When their eyes would meet, both would laugh in embarrassment and continue their work.

She hadn't realised it but 2 hours had already passed. When Sakura looked up at Sasori, he seemed to still be painting. His bangs almost touched his eyes and his hair was curly. He wasn't nearly as handsome as Sasuke but he was still pretty, in his own way.

Sasori walked over to Sakura and nodded when he saw her painting.

"This is pretty good for a beginner. You're sure this is your first time?" he teased.

Sakura blushed.

"It is actually. Thank you for the compliment. Could I see your painting too?"

Sasori blinked.

"Sure."

When Sakura saw what Sasori had painted, her eyes widened. He had painted a portrait of… her. He had even captured the seriousness of her face when she was working on her own painting.

"I hope you don't find this weird. Still, a cherry blossom, yes?"

Sakura shook her head. The painting was beautiful.

"It's really good! I can see why you're the president." Sakura said, with a smile.

"Thank you but it's not exactly the best. I didn't have time with me," Sasori said as he edged a bit closer to Sakura. "Sakura, I-"

A sharp knock on the door interrupted Sasori.

"Sakura, I'm here. It's late, let's-" Sasuke stopped when he saw the red head. He glared at Sasori.

"You," Sasuke growled.

Sakura looked back and forth between both guys, confused. Did Sasuke know Sasori? Why was he glaring at him?

"Erm, Sasuke-kun?"

Sasuke's gaze softened when he looked at Sakura.

"Come on. Let's go home," Sasuke said.

Sakura nodded and packed her things. She turned to Sasori.

"Senpai, you were saying something before?"

Sasori shook his head, chuckling.

"I'll tell you the next time we meet. I think your boyfriend's about to kill me."

Sakura turned scarlet.

"Oh, Sasuke-kun's not my boy-"

"Sakura," Sasuke said, a little forcibly.

"Okay, Sasuke-kun, I'm done," Sakura said, stuffing her drawing materials into her bag. "See you next week, Sasori-senpai."

Sakura had turned to wave goodbye when Sasuke grabbed Sakura's hand and pulled her away from the classroom. He shot Sasori another glare before he left.

As he watched them go, Sasori smirked.

"Interesting."

A/N: This is the end. This chapter is a little longer than my previous two so I hope you enjoyed it!