Your Heart in My Hand
A/N: Hello guys, I'm back with another chapter haha. I was pretty excited to write this and I'm sorry this came so late. I was in a circumstance where I couldn't really write. Also, there were some serious writer's block lol.
- I realised that I never really answer your questions in my notes so I decided to this time.
- I guess some of you are curious as to why I made Suigetsu's relationship as it is with Sakura. I've actually always imagined Suigetsu as a flirt had he been in another universe haha. Plus I think flirtatious Suigetsu is kinda cute. But don't worry, Suigetsu knows when to back down. ;-)
- As for Gaara… I know some people ship him with Sakura but I don't see it? I don't plan on bringing him into the story but we shall see.
- I've always found Sasuke being jealous cute as he rarely ever shows any other emotion aside from the few he has. As for why I haven't had any girls chase after him… Personally, I don't think Sasuke cares? Which is why I've never had him mention any of such matters? But of course, we all know he brings the girls to the yard.
- HAHAHAHA, I was so afraid I was going to get flamed for hating on Neji x TenTen but honestly I don't see it? Like I think Neji only sees her as a friend and vice versa.
A little warning: This fic is an AU so characters will definitely be OOC.
Without further ado, enjoy the seventh chapter of Your Heart in My Hand.
Inspired by Fujiwara Kiyo's Wild Ones.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Chapter 7: Her Feelings
Sasuke ran a hand through his raven coloured hair. He was wearing a plain black pull over under an oversized white t-shirt and black jeans. When he looked into the mirror, a grinning face stared back at him. He shook his head and rolled his eyes. This was so not him. He stopped smiling and took a deep breath before going out of the toilet. A figure was standing beside the door.
Sasuke was just about to walk away when Neji called out to him.
"Sasuke, wait."
Sasuke turned.
"What?"
"Can we talk?" Neji said, closing the distance.
Sasuke frowned.
"Now's not exactly the time. I'm heading out with Sakura-sama."
Neji frowned.
"That's exactly why we have to talk."
Sakura twirled in front of the mirror and sighed. No matter how many times she looked, she didn't think she looked nice and would want to change. Normally, she wasn't this indecisive but considering that this time was special, she had wanted to look her best. Our first date, she thought. No, she shook head. Not a date. After all, he was only her bodyguard. After all, her feelings were unrequited.
She had decided on a navy and white striped dress which she wore with an oversized denim jacket. A pair of navy thigh high socks complimented her look. Her hair was tied into twin French braids.
A knock came and Hashirama walked in. He smiled at her warmly.
"Sakura! You look beautiful. Going out with Lee again?"
Oh no.
"Erm, no. I'm heading out by myself today."
Hashirama raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Are you familiar enough with the island?"
Sakura smiled nervously.
"I'm actually just heading to one location. The Churaumi Aquarium."
"Lee's not going with you?" Hashirama asked.
Sakura shook her head and Hashirama was silent for a moment.
When he spoke again, Sakura held her breath.
"Well, if that's so, bring Uchiha with you. I don't want you alone without anyone."
Sakura let out a sigh of relief and stopped herself from breaking out into a smile.
"As you wish ji-chan."
"So you understand, you have to stop whatever you're doing," Neji said.
Sasuke stared at Neji.
"I'm not doing anything."
Neji sighed and rubbed his temples.
"Sasuke, please. Stop being so stubborn."
"I'm not being stubborn."
Neji growled.
"Yes you are! Look, I saw you and Sakura-sama the night before the party. I had gotten up to go to the toilet and I noticed you were missing. When I went out to the porch, I saw the both of you on the bench. Tell me then, was that nothing?"
Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"It's none of your business."
Neji glared at Sasuke.
"It's my business if it's going to get you kicked out from the gang. We don't want that for you. You know Hashirama-sama's going to freak out when he finds out you've been getting unnecessarily close to his granddaughter. I don't know what you're playing at but please stop. We care for you and we don't want to see you go."
Sasuke stayed silent.
Neji's eyes softened.
"I think it's pretty obvious that Sakura-sama's affection for you isn't platonic so please, for the sake of your friends and her, stop giving her false hopes."
Sasuke could only stare.
Sakura fiddled with her thumbs as she sat on her bed. A knock on her door made her jump and she cleared her throat before she answered.
"Ah, yes? You can come in."
Lee's head poked through the gap and he broke into a grin.
"Wow, Sakura-san! You look beautiful! Are we heading somewhere today?"
Sakura laughed nervously and shook her head.
"Sorry Lee-san but I'll be going out with Sasuke-kun today."
Lee clenched his fist.
"Where are you guys heading to? I didn't know Uchiha-san was familiar with Okinawa."
"We'll be going to Churaumi Aquarium. Well, he's not; I did some research and found a bus that would take us there."
Lee pouted.
"I could have brought you there, you know."
Sakura looked down at the floor, slightly guilty before smiling at Lee.
"We could go get more Blue Seal ice cream tomorrow?" She suggested.
Lee laughed and ran to hug Sakura.
"Thank you so much, Sakura-san! It's my treat tomorrow!" Lee said while hugging Sakura tightly.
Sakura giggled and hit Lee gently on his back.
"Hey! I can't breathe!"
A loud knock on the door made the both of them stop.
Sasuke glared at Lee.
"Get the fuck off her," Sasuke growled.
Lee flinched and released Sakura from his grip. He gave Sakura one last grin and walked out of the room.
Sasuke's gaze softened immediately when he spoke to Sakura.
"Shall we go?" He said, extending a hand.
Sakura smiled and nodded, taking his hand.
Sakura took in the view from the bus window and sighed. It was beautiful. She turned and peeked through her lashes at the raven haired male beside her. Sasuke looked every bit the perfection he was. His long eyelashes were even more obvious from where Sakura could see and his face was bathed in sunlight from the morning sun. Sakura's gaze moved to his lips. She wanted to kiss him. She wanted to hold him. But she could not. She bit her lip and looked away.
Sakura waited at the side as Sasuke bought the tickets for the aquarium. He motioned for her to come to where he was and they both entered the aquarium. Sakura's eyes widened. It was packed. Sasuke frowned as he took in her crestfallen face and took her hand.
"We should hold hands in case we get separated," Sasuke said with a wink.
Sakura blushed. When he held her hand he gave it a squeeze.
Naruto rubbed his eyes as he sat up from his futon. He smiled to himself, realising it was his free day today. He should get the boys together and explore the island, he thought.
"You're finally awake," Sai muttered, drawing in his sketchbook as he lay on his futon.
Naruto grinned.
"Morning! Hey, since we have the day off, shall we explore the island?"
Just as Sai was about to answer, Neji walked in and groaned loudly.
Naruto and Sai exchanged looks.
"What's up?" Sai asked, closing his sketchbook and sitting up.
Neji sighed.
"It's nothing."
Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"Uh, right. Anyway, as I was saying, we boys should explore the island today yeah? Since we're free," Naruto said, excitedly.
"I'm up for it as long as we get to check out the local girls," Suigetsu said, coming into the room.
Sai rolled his eyes and looked around the room, realising something.
"Where's Sasuke?" He asked, staring at everyone.
"Oh, he's out on a date with Sakura-sama," Neji answered, matter-of-factly.
Naruto's eyes widened.
"What?!"
Sasuke leaned against the wall next to the jellyfish tank and rolled his eyes. Naruto had been texting him non-stop and Sasuke had refused to acknowledge them. Furrowing his eyebrows, he turned on the 'Do Not Disturb' function on his iPhone and placed it back into his pocket. A tug on his sleeve made him turn.
"Sasuke-kun?"
Emerald eyes met his and Sasuke smiled.
"What's wrong? You look annoyed," Sakura asked, worry filling her face.
Sasuke shook his head and took Sakura's hand.
"It's nothing. Shall we continue?"
Sakura nodded eagerly and Sasuke laughed.
Sakura grinned to herself. She couldn't believe she was having such a great time with Sasuke. He had gone to get some food and she was currently sitting on a bench waiting for him. She blushed as she recalled last night's encounter. She cupped her cheeks as she remembered when she lay on the crook of his neck. She couldn't believe she had been so bold. She closed her eyes and sighed.
A buzz from her phone made Sakura open her eyes. Multiple texts filled her iPhone's screen as she opened the group chat she, Ino and Hinata had made.
Ino: I hope your DATE is going well. ;)
Hinata: Sakura-chan I'm so happy for you! :)
Ino: TELL HIM HOW YOU FEEL!
Hinata: Ino-chan!
Sakura smiled as she read through their messages and started typing.
Sakura: Guys, thank you so much for the encouragement but it's not a date. Sasuke's just my bodyguard and well… as much as I like him, I don't think he feels the same way.
Ino: Sakura, please. I've never seen Sasuke so invested in a girl's welfare the whole time I've known him. I know, you're going to talk about the bodyguard crap again but that's not really it is it? I've seen the way he looks at you. Be brave!
Hinata: Ino-chan is right, Sakura-chan. Take me for example- if I hadn't plucked up the courage and told Naruto-kun how I felt, I would have never known he felt the same way. I know Sasuke-kun won't let you down.
Sakura stared at Hinata's message and brought her phone to her chest. She could feel her heart beating strongly. She knew she had to eventually face reality and suffer the heartbreak she knew was coming. Maybe this was the right time to tell him how she felt…
"Sakura-sama, I'm back with the food," Sasuke said, his face inches from hers.
Sakura gasped and dropped her phone. She widened her eyes and picked it up immediately, turning away from Sasuke at the same time.
"Are you alright?" Sasuke asked.
Sakura smiled nervously and nodded.
"Yes. Sorry, I was just thinking…"
Sasuke raised his eyebrow.
"Of?"
Sakura closed her eyes and shook her head.
"It's, erm, nothing. Shall we eat?"
Sasuke nodded slowly and took out 2 bentos he had purchased from the food stall.
"I hope this is okay. It's a bit simple though," Sasuke said, passing her 1 box.
Sakura smiled.
"It's alright. Looks good!"
Sasuke returned her smile and they both tucked in.
They were both quiet as they ate. Sakura couldn't help thinking while silence ruled over both of them. She thought about the pros and cons of telling Sasuke her feelings and imagined every scenario possible. Realisation suddenly hit her. Why hadn't she thought of this before? She had been so preoccupied about her own feelings that she hadn't thought about his at all. She silently chided herself.
After a few moments, Sakura decided to speak what was on her mind.
"Erm, Sasuke-kun, could I ask you a question?" She said, softly.
Sasuke nodded.
"Sure."
"How is it that you've never had a girlfriend? Or, do you have someone you like? I mean, Naruto-kun and Sai-kun do and it's not like you're a bad person," She said, while still eating. "You're smart, gentlemanly, very handsome…"
Sasuke chuckled.
"Well, I guess I hadn't found the right girl yet, till now."
Sakura felt her chest tightened but continued.
"So you do like someone. Who…Who… who is she?" She asked, trying her best to keep her face neutral.
Sasuke smirked and held a hand out, reaching for her face.
Sakura widened her eyes.
"Sasuke-kun?"
"There's something on your lip," He said.
"Huh?"
Sasuke grinned and removed the rice grain off her lip. Sakura felt her heart pounding. His finger lingered on her lip and Sakura stared into his black orbs.
"Sasuke-kun?" She repeated.
Saying nothing, he reached for her cheek and caressed it. Sakura leaned into his touch and closed her eyes. Tears dripped down her face and Sasuke stopped. He wiped away her tears, alarmed.
"What's wrong? Sakura-sama?"
"I can't," She said turning away from him.
"Sakura-sama? Tell me. What's wrong?" Sasuke insisted, grabbing her shoulders and gently turning her around. "Did I do something wrong? I'm sorry. I won't touch your cheek ever again. Please, say something."
Sakura sighed in frustration and wiped her tears away roughly.
"That's not it!" She shouted.
Sasuke's eyes widened, shocked by her outburst.
Suddenly realising that many people were staring, Sakura apologised and continued, softly.
"That's not it, alright. I… I love your touches. I love everything about you. And yes, I know, I'll always just be the person you've been forced to protect and look after but that's not it. I've loved you ever since we met and it's been such a torture keeping it inside, knowing you don't feel the same," She said, stopping to take a breath. Sasuke opened his mouth to speak but she stopped him and continued.
"It's not fair that you always tease me because to me, they were more than tease- they were so, so much more. And yes, I know, I'm an idiot to just suddenly blurt out my feelings like this while we're out but I just couldn't hold it in anymore."
Sasuke looked down at his hands.
"Sakura-sama, I…" He started.
Sakura shook her head.
"Please, if you don't feel the same way, please stop giving me all these false hopes. I know I've made this trip awkward so come on, let's go home," She said, standing to leave.
"Wait, Sakura-sama," Sasuke called out, grabbing Sakura's wrist to stop her.
Sakura sniffed and turned.
"What?"
Sasuke looked away and Sakura's eyes widened as she took in the red now tinting his cheeks.
"Sasuke-kun?"
Sasuke cleared his throat.
"Wait, please don't go." He said, staring into her eyes.
"Okay," Sakura said, sitting back down next to him.
Sasuke closed his eyes and loosened his grip on her wrists.
"I have something to say as well," He said, serious written all over his face.
A/N: Will Sasuke reject Sakura or will he reciprocate her feelings? Unrequited love really is an awful feeling isn't it? I had a really hard time writing this because I didn't want to stick to the clichéd first date scenario but I guess it went that way HAHA. Anyway, please look forward to the next chapter! Once again, I'm sorry this one was so late.