(DISCLAIMER: Naruto is not owned by me.)

Chapter 17: Hands Held

How on earth did I get myself into this…

It's a Saturday and apparently Tenten, Naruto and Hinata decides to wake me up from my daily sleep-till-noon routine.

"Oh lighten up Sasuke!" Tenten said, noticing my tired and irritated behavior. I looked to her with my half-opened eyes and forced a fake smile. She notice this and couldn't help but smile.

"Onward to the hair salon!" Naruto hollered, motioning his hand to follow him.

Yesterday was when I found out that Naruto was still alive. Even though he's annoying as hell, I can honestly say that I'm glad he's not dead.

"Sasuke!" Naruto yelled, looking over his shoulder. "Hurry up! Or you'll lose us!"

I gave a lazy sigh before I hurried to follow the group into the heart of Shibuya. Because it was a weekend, it was completely crowed.

The heat was bad, too many people around… I seriously question myself why exactly I'm here.

Oh right, it was for this Hinata girl that is being bullied in our school. Because of Tayuya's 'magic show,' Hinata's hair was half chopped and half long. Although it's such a hassle to help her like this, I guess for her to actually be willing to change, it won't be as bad to help her.

But don't get me wrong, she can have help, but that doesn't mean I should be involved in this!

"We're almost there!" Naruto said, to Hinata with a grin. Hinata quickly nods, keeping her head low so that Naruto doesn't have to see her blushing face.

Girls…

Looking to my right I realized Tenten wasn't beside me. Where'd she go now?

"Sasuke!" A faint voice yelled from a distance. Through the many busy bodies that passed us, I spotted Tenten from way behind where were were. I turned back to notice Naruto and Hinata continue walking forward without looking back, probably thinking that we're right behind them. They're obviously quite mistaken.

I looked back to Tenten, and I gave a heavy sigh.

I know for a fact, I wouldn't have cared, and have kept walking. But… why aren't my feet moving?

I looked back to Tenten who was struggling to get through the crowd to get to me. I watched as her fragile body got closer, and closer to me. Suddenly without me realizing it, my body moved on its own. I mentally blocked all the noise that was around me, and every passing body was black and white in my vision.

My only focus was on a girl I met on the roof.

The girl I actually wanted to protect.

The girl who makes me do things I've never imagine myself doing.

My focus was on Tenten.

When she was a few feet away, my body continues to moved forward. My body pushed past the crowds of people to get to Tenten. When I finally saw an opening, I took it.

With my hand, I reached down to meet Tenten's. Her eyes slightly widen before looking down at our now interlocked fingers.

Without meeting Tenten's eyes, I instantly turn to walk forward, not having the courage to look back.

"Sasuke?"

"You'll be left behind again." I stated quickly. "We better hurry, or we'll lose those two."

Tenten nodded silently, holding firmly onto my hand. A short walk seemed like forever when I was holding onto Tenten's delicate fingers. I could feel her warmth, and I could feel her grasp tighten. My face was growing warm.

"What's gotten into me…?" I whispered to myself.

Now that the crowd died down, Tenten and I found ourselves completely separated from Naruto and Hinata.

"I think we've lost them." I said.

Both of us had stopped to look around for the two of our companions. The more we looked the more confident we were that they were completely gone.

"It's alright, I know which Hair Salon they're going to." Tenten said. "I guess we can just meet them there." A sigh relief left my lips being thankful that at least Tenten was paying attention to their group discussion about the location.

After a few seconds later of silence, both Tenten and I trailed our gaze down to where our hands were intact. Seeing that we were still holding hands, I quickly let go, and she quickly pulled away. Her body instantly spun away from mine, while I turned my head away slightly feeling my cheeks grow warm.

"Erm… I think we better go!" Tenten said, her voice a bit shaken, trying to portray an enthusiastic voice.

I simply nodded and followed her lead.

It was a quiet walk for the both of us, but for my own relief we were finally here.

"Finally." I breathed, while opening the door. Tenten followed after and was suddenly greeted by a teenage girl with long blonde hair that was tied back in a pony tail.

"Hello! My name is Ino!" She said cheerfully. "Would you like to have a haircut?"

Tenten shook her head politely. "Oh, no, that's alright. We're actually here to meet up with our friends."

"Right! Come on this way!" Ino smile, as she led us back to one of the private rooms.

"You guys must be double dating!" Ino said casually.

Instantly Tenten and I stiffen.

"No we're not—"

"We're just—"

Ino giggled at our reaction before opening a curtain that revealed Naruto in one of the guest chairs.

"There you guys are!" Naruto said, his back straightening. Suddenly seeing us standing next to each other, Naruto's face brightens. "Where were you guys?"

He looked to me with that goofy grin on his face as if he was hinting something to me. I rolled my eyes before sitting down next to him.

"Where is Hinata?" Tenten asked, ignoring the question.

"Oh, she over there behind the curtain," Ino replied. "That shy girl insists on cutting her hair privately so my mom brought her in there."

"Do you think I can take a look?" Tenten asked.

"If it's alright with her."

Tenten went up to the curtain, "Hey Hinata, it's me Tenten. Do you mind if I come in?"

"S-sure!" Hinata responded with a small voice. Instantly, the Naruto beside me slumped down in his chair. The word disappointment was written all over his face.

"Why can't I watch?" He whined. Tenten only grinned victoriously, before making her way passed the curtain. When it was just the two of us, Naruto instantly nudged on my arm with his elbow.

"What?" I asked, irritated.

"So…?"

"So?"

"What happened?" Naruto asked mischievously.

"Nothing you, moron."

Not taken offense to that, Naruto continues, "Yeah right, you guys were weird coming in together." He said. "Something's up!"

"Nothing happened." I lied.

"Nothing…?"

"Nothing!"

Naruto suddenly starts laughing. "Yeah right! Your face is all red!"

Hearing how loud he became, I instantly shoved my hand to cup is loud-mouth. "Shhh!" I hissed.

Naruto only continues to laugh beneath my fingers. The more I heard his muffled laugh, the instant I whacked him in the head.

"Ow man!"

Serves him right.

(A/N: Hello! Thank you for all of your lovely reviews! You guys are the best! :) Well, i just finished writing the 17th chapter! Yippii! Thank you all for reading this fanfic. Without you guys, i wouldn't have it in me to write more! I love you guys! xD Hehe anyways, leave a review and look forward to the next chapter! )