Your Heart in My Hand

A/N: Hey guys I'm back. Enjoy!

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

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

Inspired by Fujiwara Kiyo's Wild Ones.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Chapter 5: Okinawa

Sakura coughed. The chlorine stung her eyes and she was shivering violently. Sasori rubbed her back gently. Her uniform was completely soaked and she noted that Sasori's lower half was wet as well.

They were both sitting on the ground, Sasori's friends surrounding them. Sasori had introduced each of them once the situation had been controlled. Sakura looked up and light blue eyes met hers. Pain nodded at her and Sakura gave a small smile back. He had spiky orange hair and piercings on his nose and ears. He stood with an air of confidence, in fact all of the 4 surrounding them did. When Sasori had brought Sakura out of the water, Karin and her friends are tried to flee but were stopped by a blonde male with long hair tied into a high ponytail, Deidara and a grey haired male with hair slicked back, Hidan. After informing them that they would be hearing from the principal very soon, they let the girls go.

Deidara was staring into the distance, smirking like he was expecting something to happen. Hidan was toying with a pendent on his necklace and whistling- he looked bored. The last guy, Itachi had his back to Sakura. He had long black hair that he had pulled together into a low ponytail. When he turned to look at her, she almost gasped.

His eyes were as black as night and he was very handsome. His fringe was long and parted in the middle but there was no doubt that he looked like Sasuke. When he spoke, his voice was very deep.

"Sakura-san, was it? Are you okay?" He asked, staring at her with the same intense black eyes she knew so well.

"Ah, yes I am. Thank you so much for-"

A shout across the courtyard interrupted her.

"Sakura!"

Sakura looked up and saw Sasuke, sprinting towards her. Naruto, Neji, Sai and Suigetsu followed behind.

"Let go of her, you Akatsuki scum!" Sasuke growled.

Deidara's smirk widened.

"Ah, members of Kyubi. I think a thank you is in order, hmm?"

Sasuke's eyes widened in anger and he started walking towards Deidara.

"Why you-"

Naruto held up his arm and Sasuke stopped, a look of annoyance on his face.

"Wait, Sasuke," Naruto spoke and turned to the blonde.

"Deidara, what exactly do you mean?"

Hidan laughed.

"What Deidara was trying to say was that, you better thank us for saving your little princess here. We saw a group of your fangirls trying to drown her."

Horror filled the eyes of the Kyubi boys.

Neji was the first to speak.

"Sakura… Sakura-sama, is what Hidan said true?"

Sakura nodded.

"When I went to the toilet after science class, Karin and her friends ambushed me," she recounted.

Sasuke opened his mouth to speak but Sakura continued.

"After taping my mouth, they dragged me to the fountain and threw me in. They kept trying to push my head in but Sasori and his friends saved me," Sakura said, giving a smile to Sasori who smiled back.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes.

"So you Akatsuki scum just happened to be near the courtyard during break?"

"Are you trying to say that we set this up?" Sasori said, expressionless.

Suigetsu rolled his eyes.

"Don't act so innocent. We haven't forgotten what you did at the dojo."

Before a fight could break out, Sakura quickly intervened.

"Guys, please. I'm fine now. Please?" she said, looking between the two groups.

After a few tense seconds, both groups agreed to leave, albeit begrudgingly.

Pain turned to the Kyubi members before leaving.

"I'm sorry for what my members did to your dojo. I will punish those responsible accordingly."

Naruto nodded.

As the Kyubi members were about to turn their attention to Sakura, Deidara spoke.

"Oh and guys," Deidara smirked. "Good luck for when Hashirama finds out that you failed to protect his precious granddaughter. Next time, do your job so that we don't have to do it for you."

Sakura turned to look at Sasuke who currently had an expressionless face. Sakura had seen him staring at Itachi when the Akatsuki members walked away and it only fuelled her curiosity on the nature of their relationship.

Naruto spoke first.

"Sakura-sama, we're sorry we didn't get here quick enough. We…"

Neji continued.

"We felt something amiss when you didn't turn up after Sasuke came. We checked the classroom of your last class but you weren't there. We searched a few other places before coming to the courtyard but…"

"I know we were too late but we're glad you're alright," Sai said, giving Sakura a relieved smile.

Suigetsu petted her head.

"Don't you worry, Sakura-sama, we'll make sure those girls never come close to you again."

Sakura smiled at all of them and turned to Sasuke; he had been silent during the whole exchange.

Worry filled her eyes.

"Sasuke-kun?"

A loud shout came before Sasuke could react.

"There you are! What happened?! We just saw the members of Akatsuki leaving!" Ino questioned while running over. Hinata trailed behind her.

Before anyone could answer her, Ino's eyes fell on Sakura and she gasped.

"Sakura! What the hell happened?" she said, hugging her pink haired friend.

Sai sighed.

"Some fangirls decided it would be fun to mess with Sakura-sama but-"

Ino interjected.

"But you guys saved her before more damage could be done, yes?" Ino said, looking at the Kyubi members.

Suigetsu spoke.

"We-"

Sasuke's deep voice cut in.

"It wasn't us. It was the members of Akatsuki that saved her," he said with his back against everyone.

Hashirama closed his eyes and rubbed his temple. He really didn't want to do this. He sighed. Kneeling before him were 5 of his men. Sakura stood at his side, worry filled her eyes and she kept glancing back and forth between them and her ji-chan.

Hashirama spoke.

"I am truly disappointed."

The 5 men only lowered their heads further, silent.

Hashirama continued.

"Hiruzen told me everything. I can't believe no one had the foresight to see this coming! Uchiha!" he snapped.

Sasuke looked up, expressionless.

"I hear that this Karin girl has been pining, obsessed even, with you for a few months now. Did you not think she would do something to Sakura, seeing as my granddaughter is the only girl you interact with at school? I told you to protect Sakura, to make sure no harm came to her and this is how you perform?"

Sasuke only lowered his head even more.

"I'm sorry, Hashirama-sama. I didn't think she would have done anything. I think… I think it escalated after I told Karin that I didn't have any interest in her whatsoever," Sasuke said. "I would never want any harm to come to Sakura-sama" he added, glancing quickly at a red faced Sakura.

Hashirama sighed. While he was glad that Hiruzen had promised proper punishments to the girls who were involved, he wasn't sure how he would discipline his men. Unless…

Hashirama turned to Sakura.

"Sakura, my old friend has invited me to Okinawa to see him and his son. Would you like to come along since your holidays start next week?"

Eh? Where did this come from? Hadn't the atmosphere been tense before?

"I would love to, ji-chan," Sakura answered, with a smile.

Hashirama nodded and turned back to his men, his face cold once again.

"You lot, listen up! You will pack your bags for a weeklong trip to Okinawa."

The boys looked up and looked at each other, confused. They had been expecting a punishment.

"Hashirama-sama, we're confused. Are you not going to punish us for what we did?" Naruto asked.

The old man laughed loudly.

"Of course I am. You idiots will be spending your time at Okinawa working your asses off. Dismissed."

The boys had been silent throughout the whole almost 4 hour flight to Okinawa. They were now in a van, heading to the house they would be staying in. The drive was calming. The sky was beginning to darken and Sakura looked out the window to see the ocean. It was beautiful.

Sakura turned to look at Sasuke. He was sitting beside her, and he had his eyes closed. Sakura clenched her fists. She desperately wanted to reach out and touch his face, to ask him what was wrong. Sasuke had been acting weird ever since the incident with Akatsuki. True, he was always quiet but he had never ignored Sakura. After their little confrontation, Sasuke had accompanied Sakura to the principal's office and Sakura had tried to get him to open up but to no avail.

When they had arrived home, he had gone into his room immediately without a word. Naruto had told her that he had tried getting him to come down for dinner but he had refused to eat anywhere except his room; Sakura took comfort in the fact that the other Kyubi boys had accompanied him during dinner.

Sakura sighed internally. She hated knowing he was upset. She hated the fact that it had might have something to do with her. She couldn't stand knowing he hated her.

The van started to slow down as they went up a hill. The road was bumpy and Sakura gripped onto the side of seat. She almost gasped when she felt his arm snake around the front of her waist. She turned to look at him but he didn't give her a glance and stared straight ahead, expressionless. Sakura was glad her ji-chan had chosen to sit beside the driver; her cheeks were burning.

The house was small, built with wood. Standing in front of the door was a man with a bowl cut. Standing next to him was a man who looked younger, his son she assumed. Not only had the boy chosen to cut a similar hairstyle, he had also taken to wearing almost the same type of clothing. While the older man wore a dark green sleeveless shirt with khaki cargo pants, the younger one wore a light green singlet with dark blue jeans. Both were smiling and waving as the van pulled over.

When Hashirama stepped out, the older man immediately gave him a hug.

"Hashirama-san! I'm so glad you were able to come. You know my son, Lee?"

Hashirama nodded and shook the younger boy's hand.

"Of course, Guy. I would like to introduce you to my granddaughter. Sakura!"

Sakura waved at Guy as she walked over, the 5 Kyubi boys tagging behind.

Guy smiled.

"Ah, you've brought the boys as well. They're all the same age as my Lee right?"

Lee's eyes widened as he took in Sakura. When she came over, he immediately grabbed her hands.

"Sakura-san, it's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Lee and I would like to get to know you better," Lee said with a huge grin on his face.

"Huh?" Suigetsu said.

Sasuke scowled.

"You. Get your hands off her."

Lee raised an eyebrow and turned to Sakura.

"Boyfriend?"

Sakura turned crimson.

"Ah, he's-"

Hashirama laughed loudly.

"Uchiha is just Sakura's bodyguard. Forgive him if he seems overprotective, it's supposed to be his job you see," Hashirama said, eyeing Sasuke knowingly. "Now, you lot. Get the bags. Lee will show you your rooms."

Sasuke absolutely hated where he had to sleep. He didn't mind sleeping with the other Kyubi boys but they had been forced to bunk with Lee who was currently snoring thunderously, rivalling Naruto. Suigetsu had rolled over to his futon and Sasuke pushed him away. He was squeezed between the former and Sai.

Sasuke groaned into his pillow. Hashirama had informed them before they went for bed that they would be waking up at 8 in the morning to help Guy with the setting up of a new dojo. Sasuke didn't care that he had to work during the holidays; it was more the reason why he had to do all these that bothered him. He hated that he wasn't the one who had saved Sakura. He hated that it had been the members of Akatsuki. He hated that Sakura's smile now also belonged to Sasori. Sasuke clenched his fists and closed his eyes.

The sound of a phone vibrating made Sasuke open his eyes. Once he saw the text, he immediately sat up and left the room.

Sakura's heart would not stop pounding. She was sitting on a bench a few metres away from the house. She had texted Sasuke, asking if they could talk. It had been a long shot that he would reply, considering it was 2 in the morning but when he had texted back saying he would be out in 5 minutes, her heart had not stopped racing. Truthfully, she didn't know what she could get out him. She knew Sasuke didn't like talking about his own personal matters and she didn't want to force him if he didn't want to say anything. But, she couldn't stand seeing him so out of it. She wanted to give him her support, even if he ended up just pushing her away.

The wind blew and Sakura shivered. She was wearing her night dress and sandals. She hadn't expected the night to get so cold so she hadn't thought of bringing a jacket.

"Hey," Sasuke said, breaking the silence of the night. He sat down next to her.

Sakura smiled.

"Hey," she repeated.

Sasuke turned to her and frowned.

"Aren't you cold?"

Sakura shook her head but her shiver gave her away. Sasuke chuckled and wrapped his arms around her. Sakura almost gasped.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" Sasuke asked.

Sakura noted how close he was. She could feel his warm breath on her cheeks- which were already hot. She longed to rest her head on where the crook of his neck was.

"I know you'll say it's not any of my business but I just… I just wanted to know why you've been so distant ever since that incident. If it was me, I'm sorry. I would never hurt you."

Sakura hadn't meant to say the last sentence out loud but she couldn't help it. It was how she truly felt. Sasuke remained silent and Sakura continued.

"That guy… Itachi… Is he someone you know?"

Sakura felt Sasuke's grip on her tighten and she bit her lip. She pulled on his shirt when he still didn't speak and Sasuke sighed.

"Sakura-sama. You're right to say that I do feel that it's not any of your business. I just don't want you getting involved in any of the… bad things in my life. I don't want you worrying for me, okay?"

"Sasuke-kun, I… care about you. I hate that you're upset about something and there's nothing I can do. You've always been there for me and I want to do the same. Please, let me in…" Sakura said, looking up to Sasuke, blushing.

Sasuke took one look at Sakura and looked away. He couldn't look at her. Because he knew if he did, he would tell her anything. He felt her pulling on his shirt again and he closed his eyes.

Sakura frowned.

"Sasuke-kun…" she said, softly.

Sasuke groaned internally. He opened his eyes and shook his head at her.

"You're annoying, you know that?" he said, smirking.

Sakura's eyes widened and Sasuke laughed.

"I'm joking."

He felt her heave a sigh of relief and for a moment, her face touched the crook of his neck. It felt almost like a nuzzle.

"I felt useless. I'm supposed to protect you and I failed. I panicked, when I went into the cafeteria and saw that you weren't there. We waited for a few minutes, thinking you were just talking to a teacher or had gone to the washroom. But when you still hadn't come, we decided to look for you. When we asked around, no one had seen you."

"When we finally found you at the courtyard, I was relieved but also, I was angry. I should have been the one that had saved you, not them. I felt horrible. If I had been paying attention, all of that wouldn't have even happened."

Sasuke sighed.

"So many feelings came to me. I was angry, but I was also afraid. Hashirama-sama had told me that no harm was to come to you and I was scared… because I didn't want to stop protecting you. I was afraid he would give that task to someone else after he knew that I failed to protect you. I wouldn't have been able to accept that."

"As for Itachi, he… well, he's my brother. But, I don't want to talk about it-"

"But-"

"For now. Please."

Sakura stared at Sasuke. She had never seen him so… vulnerable. He had withdrawn one of his arms from her so that he could cover his eyes. Sakura pried them away gently and held his face.

"Sasuke-kun, I…" Sakura said, blushing furiously. "I…"

Sasuke touched her lips and Sakura stopped.

"Shall we go to bed?"

Sakura's eyes widened.

"Huh? Wha-"

Sasuke arched his eyebrow and laughed upon realising what Sakura had thought he meant.

"I mean, well it's late and I have to work tomorrow."

Sakura nodded furiously and mumbled a "good night" before quickly running back into the house.

Sasuke stared at her retreating figure and ran a hand through his hair.

"What am I doing?"

A/N: I wasn't planning on ending the chapter here but I figured it would have been better to continue the next day's events on another chapter. Does Sasuke really like Sakura? Or is he just being an overly nice guy? Read more to find out. See you guys in the next chapter!