Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters from Naruto.

It had been three days since the bet already. That meant he had only four days left to win over a girl. Sasuke sighed, he knew that his best shot would have been Sakura or Ino. Unfortunately, he couldn't stand Ino and Sakura...Sakura was too much like a younger sister to tell the truth. Of girls he might consider, that left Tenten and Hinata. But then Sasuke remembered that night at the Ichiraku when he'd asked Neji about his mission...

"So, what's this special mission you're on?" Neji asked casually as he ate his ramen. Sasuke eyed the others around him, none were paying attention to him and Neji at the moment.

"Naruto came up with it," Sasuke started.

"And you accepted a challenge from that dork?" Neji raised an eyebrow at Sasuke in amusement.

"I know, I'm almost wishing I hadn't," Sasuke swallowed another mouthful of ramen. "By the end of the week I have to find a girlfriend."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes, but I have no idea where to start."

"What about Ino?"

"No. She's just so... annoying. Besides, Shikamaru might have a fit," Sasuke explained and Neji laughed.

"Alright. Sakura?"

"Not her either, we've been on the same team for so long... It just seems like we're related almost. Fighting with her, it feels like I'm protecting my little sister, if I had one."

"Ok, so definitely not Sakura."

"How about Tenten?" Sasuke asked. There was a pause between the two. Neji tensed for a moment, then set down his chopsticks and turned to Sasuke.

"Don't even think about it, Sasuke," Neji stated clearly, glaring into Sasuke's eyes. "Tenten is off limits to you, and any of the others for that matter."

"S-sorry, Neji-san," Sasuke gulped but then regained his composure. "I mean, I was only trying to narrow down the choices." Neji nodded his understanding and the tension lifted. Sasuke breathed a sigh of relief. Neji still seemed irritated so he didn't press the matter for a few more minutes.

Then the rest of the Hyuuga clan began to applaud as Hinata blew out her birthday candles. The boys turned to see this and added their own applause to the noise. Hinata looked up at the Neji and Sasuke, her face turned slightly pink and she looked away.

"What about Hinata?" Neji suggested quietly, looking at Sasuke again, relaxed this time. Sasuke studied Neji's look for a moment and looked back at Hinata. She was smiling sweetly, licking the frosting off the bottoms of the candles and allowing Hanabi to share them.

"I thought she liked Naruto..." Sasuke wondered aloud.

"Well, it's worth a try isn't it?" Neji pointed out, Sasuke nodded in agreement and fell silent. "Look, I'll even help you out. You just have to promise me one thing, Sasuke."

"Sure."

"Don't you dare hurt her," Neji said calmly tapping his forehead protector, meaning the seal hidden beneath it. "I'd have to hurt you back."

"Agreed," Sasuke said. "But how are you going to help me?" Neji just smiled at him.

"Just let me handle that," Neji said...

Sasuke sighed, he could only think of one more thing to do. Somehow he had to be alone with Hinata. He had two options; call Hinata and invite her to lunch today, or somehow run into her somewhere and suggest something. He thought about it for a moment and decided it might just be easier to call her and try to plan something.

Looking up the Hyuuga household, he dialed the number and took a deep breath. Why am I so nervous? he wondered.

"Hyuuga," Someone answered.

"This is Uchiha Sasuke, can I please speak to Hinata-sama?" Sasuke said without stumbling, a good sign.

"Sorry Sasuke, you just missed her," the voice said.

"Neji-san?"

"Yeah, go to the cafe next door to Ichiraku. I'm going to help you out again, later Sasuke," Neji said and hung up. Sasuke didn't move right away, first he stared at the phone for a minute. What just happened? he wondered but shook the feeling off. He then got his things together and went down to the cafe.

He got there and wondered what Neji had planned for him. About five minutes after he got there, Hinata and her sister showed up. Sasuke gulped and felt butterflies in his stomach all over again. Pretending he was just coming from the other way, walked right by them.

"Hello, Hinata-san," He smiled at her.

"Hi, Sasuke-kun," Hinata said timidly. Her little sister smiled up at him kindly.

"So what are you doing out here?" Sasuke asked, trying to start up conversation.

"Well, we-" Hinata started.

"Hinata-sama, there you are," Neji came up behind Sasuke. Sasuke casually raised an eyebrow at him, wondering what he had planned. "Hyuuga-sensei says Hanabi is late for training."

"Oh, I forgot!" The little one's eyes widened, easily convinced that she really had forgotten.

"Come on, I'll walk you back," Neji took Hanabi's hand and turned to walk her back. His gaze met Sasuke's for a brief second, both knowing very well what it was all about. Hinata looked confused as her relatives began to leave her there, and turned her gaze to the ground.

"Hinata," Sasuke began, not liking how sad she looked. "Could I treat you to lunch?" She looked up at him surprised.

"Thank you, Sasuke-kun," Hinata smiled. Sasuke offered her his arm and she was even more surprised. She took it carefully and they went into the cafe. Sasuke smiled as they walked in, Thank you Neji-san, he thought.

After they ate, Sasuke offered to walk her home and she accepted, the pink tint never leaving her cheeks. But this time he did not offer her his arm, he was already feeling nervous enough as it was. For most of their walk through town the two remained silent. After awhile, Sasuke finally started a conversation.

"So, do you know how Kiba and Akamaru are doing?" Sasuke asked.

"They visited the hospital and the vet, but they're back to normal now. Kiba keeps trying to get me to have a re-match with just him and me." Hinata said smiling.

"Well, you know he'd be the one to lose," Sasuke smiled at her, the pink in her cheeks deepening.

"So how is Naruto-kun?"

"He didn't take any serious hits, so he's just fine."

"Good, I'm glad."

"Although he keeps reminding us that he could've won without Kiba, somehow I think his ego got a little bruised, "Sasuke commented and Hinata giggled. It was about then that they reached her house, they stopped just outside of the entrance.

"Thank you for lunch, Sasuke-kun," Hinata said and bowed her head a little.

"You're welcome," He said. She looked at her house and back at Sasuke, seeming hesitant to leave him outside.

"Maybe…um, you could…come in…" Hinata blushed furiously.

"I'm sorry," He said, really wishing he could, and even more so because she looked a little hurt at her offer being refused. "I stayed too late last time and I don't want to be a bother."

"Oh no, it wouldn't be-"

"It's alright Hinata, I appreciate the offer. Thank you," Sasuke smiled at her. "Maybe tomorrow night?"

"Maybe you could stay for dinner tomorrow night!" She lit up at the thought.

"I'd love to, if it's alright," Sasuke said and she smiled sweetly. "But I should get going, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Good night, Sasuke-kun," She said timidly. Sasuke paused for a moment and then started slowly leaning forward. Hinata seemed surprised but made no move to stop him. He went in closer, and closer, until he was only an inch away from her face. He was about to close the gap when she met him in the middle, pressing her lips gently to his. Sasuke felt his own cheeks turn pink as the two parted.

"Good night, Hinata-chan," Sasuke smiled, face flushed pink, and turned away.

Author's Note:

I had to edit this twice to finally fit that last scene in, but it was worth it! But chapter 3 is probably going to be a lot shorter.

I bet you might be wondering what else could possibly happen after these two get together, well just wait and see. It gets pretty involved… Please R&R!