note.

Two (long-ish) chapters in a day- I am on a roll!

I actually have no idea how to rescue people using a kisby ring, so please don't take it to seriously. When I nearly drowned in the ocean, it was the marine police that rescued me and they used a life boat - literally fishing me out of the water XD

track 35.

Sakura dragged Idate towards the kisby ring, thrown at them by Sasuke. She recognized the boy from his after school training, having regularly spotted him running along the track when she studied by the classroom window. It had always been impressive to see someone run in large weights, especially when he was also of a lean, skinny figure; but to feel just how heavy they were water-logged was another story. Having always been proud of her above-average strength, it seemed futile and useless now.

Through the chaos, she faintly saw the panic in Sasuke's features as his brows furrowed. She heard it in his voice too. How much he had cared when he saw her.

It sucked; the way she only got to see how much Sasuke cared whenever she was either sad or in danger. But she would take whatever she could.

Hauling the unconscious male onto the life buoy first, she proceeded to loop her arm around it. Not wasting energy by kicking, and instead trusting those on board to drag them back in.

Getting back on board was relatively simple with the amount of help they received, and she was the last out of water as the school nurse performed CPR on the runner. Shivering, she clung onto Sasuke, who had taken out his own towel (Sakura remembered the navy terrycloth from a specifically crazy storm) to wrap around her. His strong arms circling her, protecting her. A welcome change to the previous buffering of waters.

As much as Sasuke wanted to shout at her. Yell at her, and ask her how she could be so stupid as to risk herself like that, he also knew that no matter what he said, she would have still done the same. To say something about it to her when her selflessness was one of the things he admired about her would make him a hypocrite. So he settled on voicing his relief. As he promised himself that he wouldn't let it happen again.

"You're safe now."

And she did feel safe despite the terrible start to her pre-graduation trip. She was relatively calm and the sun was shining bright. She would dry quick, and she would be fine after a change of clothes.

But Sakura couldn't help the anger she felt brimming in her. Looking up at him to see the worry still present, she patted his back in their hug. Re-assuring him. Sea salt stung tears had streamed down her face and she knew that she was probably a sight to behold at that moment. Her yellow sun dress stuck heavily against her skin and her hair clung lifelessly to her neck, the water continuously running down her back like a stream along her spine.

Knowing she would likely not be able to face Sasuke later on when she saw her reflection in the mirror, instead of talking to him, she glared at the other track members. Standing up with shaking limbs to face them. Sasuke had walked over to them with her, an arm sling around her shoulders to keep the towel from falling. And she was eternally grateful by how much more intimidating it made her seem as she launched her stream of attacks. She had seen what they had done, tripping someone off a ferry. Potentially damaging an athlete's legs and endangering their life. Just because of petty jealousy that someone was doing better than them.

"What are you going to do if something really did happen?" She bit out. "Are you so desperate? Can you take responsibility for your actions? Instead of being jealous of someone's talent and hard work, focus on improving yourself. You're only letting yourself down."

Through it all, she felt the reassuring grip Sasuke had around her shoulders. An anchor to keep her from going crazy in anger. Sakura only stopped in her rant as coughing interrupted her. Turning, she watched as Morino Idate reached for her, holding out his hand.

"You saved me." He said. "You're amazing." Disbelieving. And Sasuke too, couldn't believe how utterly amazing this girl was. Amazingly reckless. But amazing, nether-less. He was never letting her out of his sight near anything potentially dangerous.

"I've seen the way you run around the field after school." She remembered the hours he spent, evidence strapped around his legs like chains. "I know you deserve your place on the team. Don't let the others bring you down."

You worked hard for it. Is what she really wants to say. To both of them. She was never strong. Never smart. But she worked hard for results. And she knew he did too. There was a sense of kinship she felt for him. They were both hard workers without talent initially. They had worked hard to get what they deserved.

Idate coughed up a little more water before he leaned back against the floor, closing his eyes. Grateful for the existence of someone who acknowledged his effort. "If you've watched me so much, you should apply to become the track team manager. The ace and the manager always end up together." Taking advantage of the situation, he joked to lighten up the mood. "And it seems like we mermaid for each other."

Sakura laughed at his flirting, as Sasuke's grip tightened around her shoulder. Warmth and shelter overflowing in his hold. It had been so long since she had heard someone hit on her that it was a rare change. She wondered if maybe she should rescue people on a more regular basis in order to boost her self esteem if this was what happened after each bout.

The feeling of Sasuke, protective and domineering as he covered her... that was also something she could get used to.