Please forgive me! I haven't updated in months. Also, I have to warn you that this chapter isn't very good compared to my previous ones. I guess it's since I haven't written anything in a while. I do hope you like it, anyway! Thanks for reading.

Chapter 10: Lessons of Love

"So you do need my help, huh?" Naruto grinned in triumph. "I'm gonna teach you ALL about love!"

I can't believe I'm doing this. "Look, I just need a few pointers. I don't need you bothering me every five minutes." I tried to clear things up with the hyperactive blonde. It was embarrassing enough just to ask him for help with anything.

"Yeah, sure. Now, why don't we start with that dull expression of yours?" He pulled at the sides of my cheeks in attempt to make me smile. Slapping his hand away, I let out a low growl. "If you act like that, you're definitely going to scare her away!"

"I only act that way to people I don't like." I was beginning to get irritated. Maybe asking this idiot for help wasn't such a great idea, I concluded, but it was a bit late, now.

"Poor Hinata probably doesn't have a clue how you feel about her because your expression is always the same. Come on, at least try to make a charming half-smile, or something. If you're not willing to try, then you must not like Hinata that much. You might as well hand her over to Sasuke. They do seem pretty comfortable around each other. . ."

Sasuke? Not a chance! "Fine!" I forced a smile from my face. Naruto flinched in dismay.

"Well, it's a start . . . but we may need to work on it a bit." I sighed in impatience. "Using facial expressions will help in letting her know that you care." Standing up, he put one hand on his hip and held up one finger. "So, lesson one – learn to smile!" He said this with such authority that I wanted to sock him in the stomach. "Oh, look, here she comes, right now. Just try to smile at her every one in a while. . . . but don't try too hard, ya might scare her." With that, he slunk away as if he were pretending to be a ninja ((Haha . . . ninja)).

"Oh, Gaara-kun! I've been l-looking everywhere for you," Hinata called out. When I heard her voice, my heart skipped a beat.

"Uh, sorry . . ." I tried to smile again, this time, without making it look forced. It was a small smile, but better than scaring her half to death. Her eyes widened and a small gasp escaped her. "What?" I asked.

"You just . . . um, n-nevermind." A light shade of pink painted her cheeks. From the corner of my eye, I saw Naruto from his hiding place, giving me a thumbs-up. Did his advice actually work? ((AN: Where did Naruto learn all this stuff? The internet, duh.)) When I focused on Hinata once more, she grabbed my hand and pulled me down the hallway with a smile. "Let's go!"

Man, why did she always have to grab my hand? My heart started to flutter at her touch. "Hey, will you slow d-AGH!" The clumsy girl tripped, causing me to stumble over her, and we both ended up on the floor. Groaning, I sat up to see if she was alright. She gave me an apologetic smile, while rubbing her head. I found the look on her face kind of funny. Her face suddenly turned from and abashed look, to a surprised one. "What is it now?" I asked.

"You're . . . smiling," she said in near amazement. "You should smile more often."

Around the corner, Naruto was spying on us, though I knew he was there. "Lesson one, complete."

Things were different, down at the café, since I didn't hate it so much. As long as Hinata was with me, I was pretty content. Taking orders, one by one, I decided that nothing could ruin the pleasure of getting to see Hinata while I worked . . . then, of course, something did.

"I'd like a caramel macchiato, please."

"Sasuke? What are you doing here?" I growled.

"Nice to see you, too. Anyway, I thought I'd order a little something and visit Hinata."

"Sasuke! What's up, man?" Naruto jumped in.

"Not much. You two look great in those visors, by the way." He added with a snicker, and then he walked off to sit with Hinata, while waiting for his order.

Naruto then walked over to me and whispered, "This definitely isn't good for you . . ."

Damn. He always shows up at the worst times. With that, I tried to listen to what he was saying to Hinata.

"So . . . I was, uh, wondering if you'd like to go see this movie with me on Saturday."

"Oh, a m-movie?" Hinata tilted her head with a small blush.

"Yeah, it just came out yesterday, and I heard it was good."

"Well, s-sure. I guess it wouldn't h-hurt." She began playing with her fingers bashfully. Oh, how I wanted to strangle that raven-haired boy. I couldn't stand watching anymore, and was ready to storm out. Turning away, I planned to go change and then leave.

"Oi, what are you doing?" Naruto stopped me. "This is one of the worst times to leave. You have to do something about Sasuke!"

What am I supposed to do? "Tch. Just get out of my face." He refused to move. Standing there with a stern face and crossed arms, the blond would not budge. I figured that I would never be able to leave unless I did something. "Ugh . . . fine. I'll figure something out." Hmm . . . maybe I can bring him his order. I picked up the tall caramel macchiato and made my way towards the two.

"Ah, thanks. You'd make a good waiter, too." Sasuke smirked as I approached him.

"Whoops," I 'accidentally' spilt it all over his shirt. The look on Sasuke's face was priceless. He immediately stood up in bewilderment, while Hinata put both hands over her mouth, wide-eyed.

"Look what you did, you asswipe!" He barked in pure anger. I couldn't help but smile, again.

"Forgive me, sir. I'll get something to clean it, right away."

"Fuck you!" Cursing me a few more times, he stomped out the door. I turned to Hinata, to find her in a daze. She blinked a couple of times, and then moved her beautiful lavender eyes to me.

"He left in such a hurry; we didn't even set up a time to meet this weekend. Oh, well." Yes. My plan worked. Now, I have her all to myself. I walked toward the cash register, and Naruto came to talk with me, once more.

"See? You have to fight for your woman if you don't want her to end up with some other guy! Now that you have her to yourself, you should work on your charm. Lesson two – learn to be charming!" I rolled my eyes at his dramatic pose. My focus was on Hinata. It looked like she was getting tired. The sky was dark, already, so I got ready to go. Charming? How would I be charming?

Hinata and I walked down the street together, as we always did. Silence filled the air, but neither of us ever seemed to mind.

"Strike up a conversation with her. Give her compliments, and call her 'babe'. Girls love it when guts call them that."

I recalled Naruto's advice that he gave me before we departed. Maybe I should try it. I mean, he seemed to have been right about everything, so far. Looking down at my feet, I tried to think of what I should say. I was always terrible at starting conversations.

"So . . . er, babe, your hair looks nice, today," I probably sounded really awkward. Her head shot up and a crimson color appeared on her face.

"Eh? Um, th-thanks . . ." She then fiddled with the hem of her shirt. I rubbed the back of my neck, because I had no clue what I should say next. This is so stupid. I don't think Naruto knows what he's talking about, after all. Suddenly, Hinata burst into laughter. Her laugh was so light and melodic, that it felt like music to my ears. Then I panicked, because I just knew she was laughing at me.

"Wh-what's so funny?" I mumbled, looking down at her.

"I-it's just the way you said it! It d-doesn't sound like you at all," She giggled, hugging her sides. My heart sank, and my shoulders hung in disappointment. "but that was really sweet of you!" I suddenly felt a pair of dainty arms wrap around my much larger one. The heat rose to my face, for Hinata clung to me the rest of the walk home. Well, that didn't go quite as planned, but it was well worth it.