Practice Makes Perfect

Hinata watched as Naruto clawed the arms of his seat like he was hanging on for his life. His eyes were squeezed shut with no sign of ever opening. anyone who saw him would think something horrible was happening to him. And to Naruto, something horrible was happening to him. He was getting a haircut. Which to any other person wouldn't be a big deal. But the Hyuga knew it was in fact a big deal.

He used his long hair to cover his face and block himself from seeing anyone else face at times. It was his way of protecting himself. And it wasn't very healthy, it only made himself believe even farther that he was hideous, when he was not! And she knew that for a fact.

"Naruto, please relax. The hairdresser isn't even here yet." Hinata said, trying to soothe him. She patted his hand on the chair, and his grip loosened.

He let out a long breath and turned to face her."I know I said I trust you and all, but-"

"No, buts." Hinata frowned at him. This was his sixth time protesting, and they've only been sitting in the shop for a little more than five minutes. She was sure that he thought if he said enough than she'd let it go. That she'd give in. But Hinata was not going to let it go, she was not going to let him run away again. Not just for him, but for her. They had to go through this together.

Naruto pouted and bowed his head, shoulders dropping. "It's just taking so long, we should come back another t-"

"Sorry, I'm late." The hairdresser said, walking up to the two. She smiled at Hinata, knowing her well. This was a salon Hinata had came to many times for a trim or such, even as a child."Hello, Hinata." She greeted."And who's this?" She looked back to Naruto, her smile still friendly.

Naruto squeezed the end of his seat again, becoming more anxious.

"He's a friend of mine." Hinata told her, standing up from her seat."As you can see he's having a very bad hair day." She gesture to his mop of spiky long hair.

"Wow, I have so much to work with." The hairdresser, laughed joyously and then she began to set up all her tools which set Naruto even more on edge. Then spread the cape over him and tied it securely. Hinata watched as he gripped the chair even tighter when she raised the seat. But it was she picked up her scissors is when Naruto jumped up from the chair.

"I don't think I can do this after!" He said so incredibly quickly it was hard to understand for moment, but he tried to dash for the door, that was all that mattered. Before he could take at least three full steps Hinata caught him by the cape.

"You are getting this cut!" She dragged him back to his seat, it was easy considering he wasn't fighting her back.

"But I don't want tooooo!" He whined.

"You have to."

"Buuut."

"Didn't I say no buts." She scolded him and made sure he was situated correctly in his seat."You said you'd do it Naruto. You said you trusted me. Didn't you? Or did you just lie?"

Naruto sighed."No, no, I didn't. " And then he grumbled."Fine. Okay. I'll do it."

Hinata smiled triumphantly."Good."

The two were so involved with one another that they didn't notice the stares they received from other customers or employees. Their particular hairdresser didn't comment on it, and just chuckled.

"Just give him a simple cut." Hinata told her, and sat down in a waiting seat beside them.

The hairdresser nodded at her orders and as she started, Naruto stiffened. Seeing this, she began to speak to him."You know, I never knew Hinata had guy friends." She teased."Yo two seem close. Are you really just friends?"

Hinata listened from the distance and couldn't believe what she was hearing. Of course they were just friends! And she was going to say so, but Naruto spoke up first.

"I think she has a crush on me." He told the hairdresser.

"I do not!" She defended, blushing madly.

Naruto laughed and so did the hairdresser.

Hinata decided to stay out of it and bury herself into a magazine. But, she couldn't help but smile a bit. It was obvious to see Naruto relaxed more and chatted with the hairdresser quite easily. It made her happy. He just needed a little more confidence and he could talk with anyone that way. He wasn't too far off from it anyway. She was sure of it

~.~

"Okay, now open your eyes." The hairdresser said, sounding amazed. And with out having to look up Hinata knew why. But she did look up, because see wanted to see Naruto's reaction.

Instead, she had a reaction of her own. Of course she had seen all of Naruto's face features before. His whiskers birthmarks. His eyes. And more. But seeing them all together, with out the cover his hair really stoked her. And his hair! It was definitely less ratty looking now that it was cut, and the hairdresser had done an amazing job. Goodness, she couldn't help but stare.

She knew she said he was beautiful before, and she meant it. But this was on a whole new level. And she hoped he'd realize it too.

His eyes at some point during his haircut shut themselves tightly. But slowly, he began to pry them open and look in the mirror. Naruto's eyes widen at the sight before him, he went pale, though Hinata had no idea why.

Slowly, he reached up a hand and touched the tips of his now short hair."Um..." He looked frightened at his reflection now, but when he turned to look at Hinata he looked even more frightened.

It was her staring, she knew immediately it was that. But the hairdresser's staring wasn't helping either. He didn't know it, but he was just gorgeous!

"H-Hinata?" He gulped, and his fingers touched his whiskers lightly.

"Huh?" She blinked and then quickly snapped out of her stupor."Naruto, you look amazing!" She grinned, and it wasn't forced nor did she do it to comfort him. It just happened without her knowing it. How could he worried, he looked like a male super model, well, a teenage male super model, that is.

He blinked his brilliant blue eyes and chewed his bottom lip nervously."D-do I? I mean...The whiskers..."

Quickly shaking her head she stood up from where she stood."The whiskers are adorable." She told him. And they were, those birthmarks were unique and added something else to his already handsome face. She loved them."I love them." She said.

Naruto stared at her with wide eyes for a few seconds and Hinata blushed. She hadn't meant to say that a loud, but it just slipped. "You love them?" He repeated, running a finger over a line on his cheek."Do..Do you mean that?"

Hinata really didn't like how insecure and unsure he was about it. It was upsetting, reminding her of the horrible rumors that spread at the school. No one had no idea how beautiful he was inside and out. But she would make sure he would.

"Of course I do."

"You're hot!" The hairdresser added.

The two stopped to look at her, completely forgetting she was there. They were so involved with one another they even forgot they were in a hair salon. It was almost comical.

And then Naruto smiled just a little."Hot? Never been called that before." He admitted, not sadly but quaintly. It was new to him, very new to him.

"W-well you are!" Hinata quickly said. Calling someone hot was new to her. But she was going to make him see it, he had to see it! No way they were leaving this shop while he still believed he was, well, hideous. The whole notion was ridiculous. "Believe me when I say that you are by far the most beautiful person I have ever laid eyes on. And I mean that from the bottom of my heart." And she blushed. It sounded like a confession, but she wasn't going to take it back.

Naruto stared at her surprised by her words. And Hinata could see his line of thought changing. "But everyone knows...everyone says..."

"Naruto, you said you trusted me. So, trust me now." Hinata frowned slightly."Listen to me, and only me. Because I'll tell you the truth."

He stared at her a little while longer, she could see the uncertainty in his eyes. But then slowly he started to smile and though she could see the nervousness in his eyes, she knew that he had put his complete trust in her."This better make me popular." He said, barely above a whisper.

Hinata was elated, she could knew he was still scared, but his trust for her overruled his fear. This was going to his new start, and her's as well."It will! I know it will!"

~.~

It didn't take long for Hinata to finish paying and for them to leave. It just took a little while for them to detach themselves from their hairdresser. She was a talker, and her Naruto had become quite friendly with one another. It was nice to see him talk so easily with her, though his eyes kept looking down when he talked to her. He was too conscious about his appearance, and not in a positive way either.

But, that would change, Hinata would make it happen. She was more determined than ever after finally coming to terms with herself. To be completely honest, she probably would have continued living the way she had even after Temari's outburst if she hadn't known Naruto. But after he crashed into her life, she started seeing things more clearly.

And because of that, she was thankful. And now she wasn't just going to make him popular for her own sake, but for his. He would already popular if it wasn't for the fact that he was so insecure. It was all those rumors and his own cowardice that held him back. But a little self-confidence would go a long way.

"Gah!" Hinata jumped in her spot, someone had grabbed her shoulder. Though the touch was light, she knew it was the hand of a male. So, without hesitation she brought her elbow back and it him in the chest.

"Ow!" He groaned and moved away from her."H-Hinata what was that for?" Naruto asked, rubbing his chest, trying to soothe himself.

Her eyes widened when she realized it was him. The Hyuga had been so lost in thought that she hadn't even realized that Naruto was walking behind her, let alone he was the one that touched her. "I'm so sorry!" She was quick to apologize. "But, why did you grab me so suddenly."

Naruto continued to rub his chest and looked away. He blushed. Hinata blinked, she had never seen him blush before, usually his hair covered his face up so well. It was nice to see every part of him now that he wasn't hiding behind his mane of hair.

"I, well, you see, it's just that..." He licked his bottom lip and looked back at Hinata."I was wondering if I could, I don't know, maybe, probably, you know get my hoodie back." He mumbled and pointed at her shopping back.

"Oh.." Hinata shook her head."No, you can't have it now."

"Why not?" He asked, and pouted.

Hinata blinked her eyes and laughed."Naruto, you're adorable!" And he was! It was so nice to see all of his expressions clearly, she wasn't quite used to it yet. But all of of them were just so perfect.

"Huh?" He was taken aback by Hinata's so straightforward words and found himself blushing more."That came out of nowhere." His eyes looked away, which 'caused Hinata to laugh more.

"You really are though. Come on." She walked ahead, still grinning and giggling a little.

Naruto followed behind her, grumbling something about her being to straightforward. And it was funny coming from him, he was the most bluntly honest and open person she knew. Maybe he was rubbing off on her, because most of the time she thought before she spoke, filtering her sentences.

"Here we are." Hinata said as she opened the door to a cafe that was on a shopping street, surrounded by stores. It was an area that most high schoolers hung out at. She doubted Naruto knew, aft all he didn't have any friends besides her and he recently moved to the city.

Naruto took the door handle from her and she walked inside with him coming in behind her. The blonde boy stuck close to Hinata, he had been doing that since they left the salon. It didn't really bother her much, he was literally the only boy, that wasn't family, she let touch her now.

Hinata moved to the table in front of the window, and slid into the seat. Naruto sat across her and watched closely as she set the shopping bag on the floor. He really wanted that hoodie back.

"So, what are we doing here?" Naruto asked, but quieted when the waiter came to the table to take their orders. She simply ordered them two ice teas and watched as he left retrieve their orders.

"We're here to rehearse." Hinata told him and stared back at him.

Naruto frowned, confused."I don't quite understand.."

Sighing lightly, she began to speak."Naruto, I took you out today so we can prepare you. If you're going to get popular, you need to know how to talk with people. With out your hoodie. So, we'll practice."

Naruto remained quiet, not knowing what to say. And Hinata stared back at him, waiting for him to say something."With out my hoodie?" He questioned, sounding very uncertain.

"With out your hoodie." Hinata confirmed.

"Okay... How am I supposed to do that?"

"First, pull your shoulders back, don't hunch, raise your head and meet my eyes. Even if you don't feel confident, then pretend you are, because eventually you will be."

Naruto did as she said. And even sitting, Hinata could see how he was much taller than she. The top of her head only reached his shoulder, and barely. "And most of all, just be yourself. You're absolutely charming, Namikaze."

Naruto smiled at here, and she was happy to see I'm do so. He looked less nervous and more at ease because of her words."Okay."

"Now, pretend I'm so guy at school and you're-"

"But, you're not a guy, you're Hinata." He pointed out.

"Pretend, Naruto. This is just a simulation." She cleared her throat."Now, approach me."

Naruto sighed and then sucked in a breath."Um, hi."

"Hello."

He looked down for a moment and looked back up to meet her eyes."This is so weird." He mumbled.

"What's weird?" she asked, still acting as 'the guy from school'.

"Nothing, so, um, do you like ramen?"

Hinata mused, and said ever so slyly."Not really."

"What?"Naruto blinked his eyes in disbelief."How can you not like ramen? Hinata, I thought you liked it."

"I'm not, Hinata, Naruto! I'm 'the guy from school'."

"Oh, right, but every time I see you, I just see Hinata."

Hinata sighed as the waiter dropped off their drinks."This isn't going to work. Come on." She set down cash on the table for their drinks and got up.

"B-but what about our drinks!" Naruto called and whined when she ignored him and walked out the door, expecting him to follow. He sighed and took a quick sip before following her out.

Hinata was looking around from her place on the sidewalk. "Naruto, is there a particular place you want to go. Can't guarantee we'll buy anything though."

He was obviously confused at what Hinata was getting at, but he looked for a place non the less."How about the pet store?" His lit up when he spotted it.

"Do you like animals?" She inquired. Now that she thought about it. He totally seemed like an animal person. He was kind and active, so maybe he especially liked dogs. But then again there were some active people who liked cats more.

Naruto smiled and nodded his head."Yep." He chirped.

"Okay let's go there." Hinata said, and they crossed over and into the pet shop. It wasn't to big, medium sized to be more exact. And it had many animals along with animal food and other things of the sort.

Naruto admired the creatures with a happy smile. Hinata noted the more time they spent out, he wast starting to to focus less on his appearance. And she wasn't going to bring it up now, he'd just get all jittery again.

"There." Hinata pointed to a boy about their age, he was looking at some pet food, though she couldn't see his face clearly.

Naruto looked away from the animals and to the boy"Um, what about him?"

"Go talk to him." She said, as if it was the best idea in the world. But Naruto reacted quite differently.

"What? But, I don't know him." He whispered. It was obvious how afraid he was. How could he talk to a person without his hoodie or his long hair shielding him.

Hinata tried to give him a comforting smiled and said."Of course you don't. You didn't know me and you talked with me. And now we're friends."

"What am I supposed to say?" He continued to protest.

"You both have one thing in common. You like animals. You're in a pet store. Now go, I'll be here."

Naruto stayed in the exact same spot, so Hinata gave him the push that he need, literally. He looked back at he, but after a long moment of hesitation he approached the boy. She couldn't hear what they were talking about, but she didn't mind. Instead, she went back to the front of the store and watched the animals behind the glass.

So, Naruto liked animals, eh? She smiled and waited for him. And only ten to fifteen minutes passed when she started to wonder what was taking him so long.

"Do you like puppies" A voice asked. A male voice.

Hinata stiffened and turned to face the male person standing at her side. He was obviously a few years older than her, maybe in his twenties, and he was smiling warmly, but flirtatiously. She took a step away carefully, hoping he wouldn't notice.

"P-puppies?" She crossed her arms over her chest, as if to protect herself. Hinata felt that nervous feeling creeping up her spine, and she hoped he wouldn't come any closer. But she was used to being approached by men, it was only natural with her looks. So, she just had to keep her distance and tell him off.

He chuckled,"You were looking at them." He explained and her eyes shifted back to the glass where the puppies were sleeping behind. Momentarily, she forgot that he was there and in that moment he took another step closer to her.

Even though her brain was telling her that he wasn't going to do anything bad to her, her body was ready to attack at any moment. "O-oh yeah. I w-was, wasn't I?" She gulped.

"They're cute, I wish I had one of my own." He sighed,"But look..." He pointed at the glass with one hand and his other was coming down to touch her shoulder. Wit out thinking she raised a hand of her own, ready to strike, but stopped mid-attack when Naruto came calling name rather cheerily.

"Hinata!" He was beaming at her, and she was no longer focused on the man beside her or the fact that he now had a hand on her shoulder. Naruto noticed before she did and quickly went to work removed the stranger's hand before she noticed and retaliated.

The person stared at him and all Naruto said was."It's for your own good." And then he led Hinata out of the shop before she really did hit him.

"Thank you." Hinata said, when they were walking again and her heartbeat calmed. And then she checked her watch, she'd have to go home soon. Every Saturday she cooked dinner.

"Anytime." Naruto told her happily."Oh! And hey you were right! I was really scared to talk with him, and he wasn't very talkative, in fact he was kind of quiet. But you know what? We both did like animals and that was enough. He has a cat!" He rambled and started talking more and more about this person. It made Hinata happy.

"See, Naruto. It wasn't so hard now was it?"

"It was a bit hard. But yeah, it wasn't too hard." He rubbed the back of his head. And then, he suddenly asked."Why are you afraid of boys?"

Hinata slowed down her walking pace, and pinched her lips. She didn't want to talk about it, and she was going to say so when she thought the better of it. She was never able to open up about this story with anyone. But with Naruto she felt it would be okay, that he would understand and maybe sympathy."I'll tell you." She said after a moment of silence. And Naruto waited patiently."If you give it your all on Monday."

"What? My all?"

"Yep." She handed him the shopping bag and he looked down at it and back to her."Trust me, okay. We have each other's back's."

Naruto fidgeted and held the bag close."Alright."

"And another thing, don't open that bag until you get home." She stressed."I have to go now."

"Really? Can, we, um, meet tomorrow?" He asked, hopefully.

"I'm sorry." Hinata said, sad to see the disappointment on his face from her response."I spend Sundays with my sister."

He sighed."Then I guess I'll see you at school, eh?"

And to that she nodded. "See you later."

He smiled and was the first to leave. Though Hinata wondered what he would think when he reached home and found out that the bag did not hold his hoodie but a more fitting school uniform. And that she was confiscating his hoodie. Thinking about about it, she felt guilty, but she never said that the bag held his hoodie.

The end! This chapter came pretty late, apologize for that. And the next chaprer will probably come out late too. Even so, I do hope you guys will continue to keep up.

Anyway, this chapter doesn't have much excitement, but I guarantee the next one does. So please review and more!

Little Miss Kairi out~!