Hinata poked her forefingers together keeping her saddened gaze focused on his chest. "I'm really sorry, Naruto-kun…" she paused glancing up into his wonderfully blue eyes, "I-I was r-really looking forward to it, but…something came up."

"Ah, don't worry about it Hinata-chan!" he smiled gleefully resting his hand on her shoulder. "We can go to a movie another time."

"I…I'd really like that." She smiled widely.

He smiled again, "Okay, well, I'm gonna go now. See ya later Hinata-chan! Tell Neji I said hi!" He ran off waving to her as he went. She smiled sadly taking in a deep breath. Her eyes widened slightly as she held her breath. "Oh no. Neji-kun! He thinks I'm going to the movie with Naruto-kun." She bit her lip nervously. But Sasuke is waiting for me… "I guess I can just tell Neji-kun after I get home. He'll understand…I hope." She nodded to herself in reassurance before running off towards the lake to meet Sasuke.

She finally arrived at the lake after running the whole distance. She saw a glimpse of Sasuke standing near the shore before she hunched over trying to normalize her breathing. Sasuke turned around looking at her exhausted figure with his ever-present impassive expression. "Now that you're here, let's go over a few things."

She nodded still regaining her breath.

"For God's sake, sit down. You look like you're going to pass out."

She nodded again taking a seat on the bench. He walked towards her sitting down as well making sure to keep a good foot between them. Meaning, they were on completely opposite ends. With his hands folded across his chest, he gazed out at the lake reflecting the reds and oranges from the setting sun. "How much do you like Naruto?"

She blushed looking down at her lap, "Naruto-kun…well, I-I…um…you see-" she stopped abruptly when she felt his hand grasp her chin forcing her to look at him directly. When their eyes met, he dropped his hand back down to his side. "First thing to establish: Make eye contact."

She nodded in understanding trying with all her might to keep looking into his eyes, which so reminded her of black abysses. They seemed so mysterious to her, yet they held such strong emotions. Through his eyes, he would be able to easily express his passionate hatred and distaste. She wondered briefly, would he love just as passionately? "Secondly," he interrupted her train of thoughts. "No stuttering. I vaguely remember it being ten times worse back in the academy days, so you've obviously been working on it. But, when around Naruto, your stuttering can't seem to desist."

"I just…I get nervous…"

"I know that. Getting rid of it just means you need to be more confident. Stop thinking he might not like you if you say something, so just say it. Even if you don't agree with this, at least act like you feel that what you say has importance to it. By putting that boldness into your words, it makes the other person think that what you're saying deserves to be paid attention to. This is vital when concerning that idiot. He has the attention span of a fly."

She giggled, "That is true…" He glanced at her from the corner of his eye seeing her smiling at him gently. He almost wanted to smile back, but kept his "annoying" emotions at bay for the time being. "Next?" she questioned listening intently to his advice.

"Be more aggressive. Don't hang on him like my stupid fan girls do with me, but don't avoid touching him. He might take it that you don't like him."

"So…?" she started not completely getting what he meant.

"So. When around him, maybe try 'accidentally' brushing shoulders or hands. When sitting next to him, keep an inch between you at most." He watched, as every word he said seemed to make her blush a new shade. He sighed, "I doubt he'll bite you. I don't think he's ever bitten someone before…"

"He has."

"What?"

"He bit Kiba before…" she touched her finger to her chin remembering the moment.

"He what?"

"Back in the chunin preliminaries…when he went against Kiba…"

"He bit him?" Sasuke's usual impassive expression turned to one of unbelief and disgust.

"Yes." She giggled again.

"Ugh…I don't want to know." He muttered taking a deep breath, "Anyway…" he glanced over at her and began to move closer sitting only a touch away from each other. He saw her tense and look up at him fearfully. "You see? None of that. You make that face, and he'll think you're terrified of him. You two need to be comfortable around each other…right?" She nodded looking defeated. "And lastly, for now…I don't expect you to do this anytime soon, but…" he paused grasping her hand in his holding it gently. Her face had turned completely scarlet as she looked down at the two clasped hands. "Y-You…" she gulped loudly, "W-want me to h-hold his h-hand?"

He smirked, "Like I said, I don't expect you to do this anytime soon. It's mainly reserved for couples. But, it'd be best if you had experience with this ahead of time. That way, there's a better chance that you won't collapse when it does happen."

"Oh…I see…" she trailed off not tearing her gaze from the two enjoined hands. His skin feels so rough…and yet, his hands…they're warm and soft. He's not squeezing tightly, but he's not holding loosely either. It's almost like… She began to smile unconsciously. Just by holding his hand, her heartbeat seemed to quicken, and she returned the hold watching how their hands seemed to form so perfectly with the other. It feels so nice… "…I think I like holding hands…" she whispered not realizing she just spoke what she was thinking.

While she seemed to be off in her own little world, he continued to watch her face as it formed to different emotions. His own face, for the matter, was almost blank. He honestly didn't know what to feel at the moment. He was at a complete loss of what to do. He felt his whole body seem to warm up as his own heart rate increased. His mind was yelling at him to let go and give her some snide comment while glaring his hardest at her, but he found he really didn't want to listen to that scolding at all. He found that no matter what, he didn't want to let go of her. He loved the feel of her hand, her touch. It was so loving and tender…just like her. What is this? Why do I feel so strange? I kissed her before…hell, we made out! Why am I reacting so much stronger to such an innocent action? I…I don't…understand what's going on. Just…what is this…really? He gulped and leaned towards her bowed face. I'm so nervous…I never get nervous… "Hinata…" he breathed barely audible, but in their nearness she heard him easily. She looked up slowly gazing back into his eyes that looked so soft at the moment. His entire expression was soft. Her breathing quickened to match her now pulsating heart. "Y-yes…Sasuke…?" she whispered as she saw his eyes stare at her lips. Her own eyes trailed down to his lips as she edged closer to him wanting to close the seemingly eternity-long gap between them. Her eyelids began to close shut when she could feel his warm breath hover above her mouth. His lips were just a brush away from touching hers when he suddenly pulled back quickly making them both snap back to reality. She likes Naruto damn it! What the hell am I doing! I can't let my emotions take over me like that…it's weak…it's weakness! He stood up from the bench breaking off their hold from each other. He cleared his throat and kept his focus away from her and on the now darkened sky. He took a deep inhale settling his nerves. "You should get going. I'm sure your cousin will be wondering where you are."

She blinked rapidly trying to regain her concentration. She glanced around nervously before standing abruptly. "You're right…" she whispered turning around and trying to avoid looking at him. "Um…Sasuke?" she asked glancing back at him.

"What is it?" he stayed still reminding him not to look back at her.

"Um…thank you…for helping me."

His silence got her to continue walking back into the forest. "Are you working tomorrow?" he asked halting her movements.

"Um, yes. From 6am-5pm."

He nodded, "After work, I'll come get you. There's still a few more things we need to go over."

"O-Okay. Um, good night Sasuke." She spoke quietly and jogged off into the forest.

When he couldn't hear her footsteps anymore, he inhaled again and gazed up into the night sky littered with stars. "What the hell is she doing to me…"

Hinata entered her home closing the door securely behind her. As she was taking off her shoes she took notice of the presence just ahead of her. She glanced upward while slipping off her right shoe and begin working on the left. "Welcome home. How was the movie?" Neji asked giving her a watchful gaze.

"Um…" she fumbled with her words as she was freed from her shoes and now stood before him. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the money he had given her earlier that day. She held it out for him to take. His arms were folded across his chest and his eyebrow rose as he stared at the cash in her hand. "You didn't go." He stated looking at her sternly. "Hinata, you didn't chicken out did you?"

"Wha-no, Neji-kun. I just…"

"You didn't leave Naruto stranded there, did you? That's a strange way to get his attention."

"No. I-I told him it was cancelled. So, he wasn't stranded or anything…"

He sighed loudly, "Hinata…" he claimed the money in her hands and fitted it back into his wallet. "So, if you didn't go to the movie, than where have you been?"

She gulped and stayed frozen for a moment. Do I tell him I was with Sasuke? He might get mad. Neji-kun never really liked Sasuke, so if he finds out I was with him…oh, he will get mad. But then, what do I tell him? "I was training." Well, that's not a lie. I was training, just not the type he's probably assuming.

"Training? You cancelled the movie with Naruto to go train?" He asked very skeptically. She knew he didn't believe her. No one would. Everyone knew she would give her left arm to go to the movies with Naruto, and would probably think she was the victim of some mind transfer jutsu if she cancelled it just to go train. "Well…I was just…trying to save him the trouble of having…to go with me." She whispered the last part hoping he didn't hear it. "I-I don't think…he would've had fun…with just me." She gazed down depressed that she felt it was partly true, and prayed that Neji wouldn't question any further.

"Hinata…where you get these ideas I'll never know." He spoke more to himself than her. She looked up at him in curiosity. He met her eyes with his own letting her know he was sympathizing with her. "Take risks once in awhile. You might find yourself enjoying it." He finished as he walked towards the living room couch to sit down. Hinata smiled and walked towards the back of the couch and behind Neji, who was now reading a scroll. She leaned over and gave him a small peck on the cheek. "Thank you, Neji-kun." She whispered and walked hurriedly towards her bedroom. Neji stayed frozen for a bit while absently touching his cheek where she kissed him. He chuckled while shaking his head. "Only Hinata…" he trailed off continuing his reading.

Hinata lay in her bed staring up at the ceiling unable to go to sleep. Too many thoughts were running through her mind and she couldn't seem to sort them out. Sasuke…he can be so…I don't know…he's just so mysterious. He always puts up this wall around his emotions so no one will ever know what he's really feeling. Sure, he lets anger and hatred through constantly, but when is he ever happy? When is he sad? When will he finally let people in to see the real Sasuke? A brief flashback of him holding her hand and leaning in for a kiss made her cheeks redden. She smiled happily. He opened up to me a little there. It was almost too small to see…but it was there. He looked like…he just looked so sincere. It wasn't like the other times he tried to kiss me. This time, it wasn't forceful or intensely passionate. It was almost like he was being gentle and wanted to give me time to back away if I wanted to. She rolled to her side hugging the covers up to her chin, as the smile never left her lips. It was like he was actually asking permission for once…I think I was going to give him permission too… She blushed furiously at that thought hiding her face further into her blanket. She suddenly shook her head trying to rid her of those thoughts. "No, I can't. I love Naruto-kun, and only Naruto-kun." She reprimanded herself sternly. Sasuke's just trying to help. He feels bad for forcing himself on me, so he's just trying to make up for it by helping me get Naruto-kun. She nodded and rolled over onto her back. "I love Naruto-kun. I love Naruto-kun." She continued telling herself over and over like a mantra before she finally let sleep overtake her.

Sasuke leaned against a tree just outside the hospital entrance. His arms were folded across his chest while his eyes were closed comfortably. He held a sense of calming as he waited patiently for Hinata to appear. When he heard footsteps echoing from the concrete in a running manner, he kept his eyes closed waiting for her to approach him. He was suddenly jolted out of his calm state when arms flung around his neck hugging him closer to the person's body. "What the hell!"

"Sasuke-kun! It's been so long!"

"What? Ino? Get off of me!" he glared down at the blonde who was hugging him tightly. More running steps caught his ears. "INO! Get the hell away from him!"

Sasuke inwardly groaned. It's bad enough when there's one, now it's the both of them. How much worse can it get? Sakura ran towards the two wrapping her arms around his torso sending a scowl towards her best friend and rival. "He's my Sasuke-kun, so back off Ino-pig!"

"Forget it, billboard brow! You never stood a chance with MY Sasuke-kun."

"Ino-pig! You let go of him now!"

"You let go first!"

"Why don't you both stop acting like you're still twelve!" he interrupted feeling the anger emanate from his body. They both leaned back to stare up at him. "It's been six years and you haven't changed at all. Grow up already!"

"But Sasuke-kun…" Sakura whined.

"We just want you to know how much we lo-"

"I don't want to hear it! Save those idiotic words for someone who's actually going to love you back!" he was breathing hard as his anger only seemed to increase with every moment that they still touched him. He definitely didn't welcome their hugs like he had Hinata's. Theirs didn't even come close. "Now. Let. Go." He seethed allowing them to see his now-activated sharingan. Their eyes widened and they quickly jumped back fearfully. They whispered his name as they continued to walk backwards from the furious Uchiha. "S-Sasuke…?" a small timid voice at once made him calm down and deactivate his sharingan. He turned to the side to see a very worried Hinata. His glare softened as he took deep breaths to fully relax himself. "I'm fine. You can stop looking at me like that now." He glanced back to her letting her see he was calm again. She nodded and replaced her previous expression with a small smile, one that eased his nerves at once. The two fan girls watched the scene in pure confusion. They glanced to each other hoping the other would have some kind of clue as to what was going on. When neither had the slightest idea, they continued to watch carefully. Hinata walked up to Sasuke with her still small smile; "I'm ready now. I'm sorry I kept you waiting…"

"Whatever. Let's just go." The two began to walk off with Sasuke leading more than walking side-by-side with her. Hinata glanced back towards the two girls and smiled widely. She waved, "Good bye Sakura-chan, Ino-chan!"

The two girls, still frozen to the ground and wide-eyed with shock, absently waved back while replying, "Good bye Hina-chan…"

Hinata walked quietly next to Sasuke glancing up at him once in awhile. They were on the main street of Konoha passing by all the various shops on the way. "Um…Sasuke?"

He glanced at her from the corner of his eye allowing her to see he was listening.

"Um…you…uh-are you okay?" she asked furrowing her brows while he raised an eyebrow in question. "I mean…you just…you looked really angry…" she muttered staring down at the ground.

"I told you I'm fine."

"Y-Yes, but…I-I've never seen you that angry before…" she paused thinking back on it. "Sakura-chan and Ino-chan looked scared…and…I was too…"

He sighed, "They wouldn't get the hint that they were bothering me. What better way than to scare them?" he smirked at her. She met his gaze and slowly smiled in return. She nodded and looked down again. "Okay. Here's the plan." He began bringing her attention back to the reason why they were meeting up again. "Tomorrow, you're going to tell Naruto how you feel."

She snapped her face up towards his with nothing but fear shown in them. "But…I-I-I don't know if I'm ready!"

"You'll do fine. Just be confident like I told you. Make eye contact, don't stutter, and talk so that he'll definitely listen without getting distracted."

"But…how?"

He stopped walking and turned to face her. She halted and stood in front of him warily. "What, do you need practice?"

"Well, I-um…" she mumbled and eventually just nodded. He groaned and stared down at her. "Than say it." He told her sternly. She widened her eyes. "Pretend I'm Naruto for the moment, and confess already."

"But-um…here?" she looked around at the busy street, where the people were already casting them curious glances. He began to rub his temples trying to ease his newly gained headache. "Fine." He grabbed her wrist and began leading her to a more secluded spot near the training grounds. Once they arrived, he turned back to her and crossed his arms over his chest. "Better?"

She looked around seeing that no people were around. She used her byakugan for a second just to make sure, and finally nodded in approval. "Well?" he asked impatiently.

"Okay…pretend you're Naruto-kun…and-and c-c-confess." She whispered to herself even though he could hear her perfectly. He almost wanted to smile at her moment of building up her self-confidence. She took a deep breath before staring at him straight in the eyes. Her face was fearful but stern. "Naruto-kun…there's something I need to tell you." She waited for him to nod before continuing. "You see, I-I, I've kind of…well-"

"Stop." He interrupted narrowing his eyes at her. "You made eye contact, which was good, but you're stuttering again. You're self-confidence dropped quicker than I could imagine."

"I just-I don't know if I can say it."

"Than keep trying until you do." He titled her chin up to meet her eyes; "This is the guy you've liked since you were a kid. Think of this as you doing him a favor."

"A favor?"

"Yes. He's so dense that he has to be told directly to his face. You're doing him a favor so he doesn't have to go into brain overload."

She giggled quietly and nodded. "Okay. A favor than."

He nodded and backed up waiting for her to begin where she left off. She took another deep breath and looked at him more sternly this time. "Naruto-kun…I love you."

Something seemed to hit Sasuke at that moment. Those words made him feel like he was just punched in the stomach. Half of him hadn't heard whom she directed the words to, and he felt his heart beating quicker and his hands shake nervously. Hinata continued, "I've loved you since back at the academy. I've loved you all these years, Naruto-kun!" The other half of him quickly rid over the previous thoughts and feelings, and reminded him that those words didn't belong to him. They weren't for him at all. This made his shaking hands clench into fists and his face form into a frown. Hinata looked at him thinking she had done well, but one look at his frown caused her to think quite the opposite. "Um…Sasuke? Did I…did I screw up?" she asked worried.

He shook himself out of it and appeared expressionless. "No, that was good. You definitely…were more confident and to the point. Good job."

She smiled widely and could almost jump up and down in her excitement. "So I'll tell him tomorrow than." She spoke happily. She giggled, "And I'll make sure to remember everything you've taught me, Sasuke-sensei."

He gazed at her thrilled expression and allowed a tiny smile to grace his lips. He made it disappear before she could see and replaced it with a smirk. "Sasuke-sensei huh?" he questioned, "Well, it's better than Sasuke-kun." She smiled and giggled at his comment.

"Oh! I should get going. I was supposed to make dinner tonight. I hope Neji-kun isn't home yet…" she trailed off as she turned on her heel and began jogging off. Sasuke turned around facing the opposite direction. He was about mid-step when Hinata appeared at his side giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. She turned around just as quick so he could see her scarlet face, and waving to him as she went, "Good bye Sasuke! Thank you for your help!"

He watched her with wide eyes and couldn't seem to move until she had disappeared from his sight. He brushed his fingers where her kiss had been, as a genuine smile appeared on his face. She was so happy…and smiling more than I've ever seen her smile… His smile faded and his expression saddened. But not because of me…because of him…