1Neji found that nothing he could do would wake Naruto up. He'd done just about anything short of raping, torturing, or killing him and Naruto still didn't stir. Neji decided that he must be under the force of some kind of jutsu, and when he activated his byakugan and observed Naruto's chakra spots, he found that it was too powerful for him to try and get rid of.

Doesn't matter, he thought smugly, his eyes feasting on the prize that was in front of him. From Sasuke's notes, getting him in The Game this way will be a piece of cake. I just have to hide Naruto effectively enough so that it'll take a long time for Sasuke or anyone to find him.

Neji picked him up and thought a bit before deciding on a direction. If this plan worked, it would be weeks, maybe even months, before Sasuke figured out where Naruto was, and by then, Neji would've gotten what he wanted and more.

--

Hinata was feeling so much better that it was almost like she hadn't slept with Sasuke at all. She was out of the bathtub now and Sasuke was in the shower. She was in the most luxurious bathroom she'd ever seen in her entire life. She liked to think that she was wearing the softest bathrobe ever made. It felt like fluffy warmth against her skin. The candles around the tub still burned and the air was heavily perfumed with many scents that all blended together into a calming atmosphere. Before getting into the shower, Sasuke had turned on some music that relaxed Hinata almost to the point of sleep. She was so tired, but she was so happy. The fact that she was staring out the window with the best view of the village at the rising moon lifted her spirits as well.

She jumped a little when she realized that the shower had stopped and she could hear the sounds of Sasuke moving around behind her. She continued to gaze out the window when she saw in the dim reflection of the glass Sasuke drying his hair wearing nothing but a fluffy white towel. She blushed a little and turned her attention back to the moon. She jumped when Sasuke hugged her stomach from behind and kissed her head and she pulled away. Sasuke looked a little shocked for a second before regaining his composure and stepping back. He rubbed his eyes with the heels of his palms, his teeth clenched for a moment before he looked back at her.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, taking a step away from her to make her more comfortable. "I guess I'm not as healed from that chakra burst as I thought I was. I'm still a little crazy I guess."

He sat down on the cushioned island and hunched over as he began rubbing his eyes again. Hinata felt bad for pulling away from him. She'd enjoyed it, just had been caught off guard. She had to get used to affection. She sat down next to Sasuke and put her arms around him to try and comfort him.

"No, no, you're okay. I'm just not used to being touched romantically."

She said this a little bitterly and Sasuke looked over at her, not knowing how to react. He was slightly amused on the inside. I've never met a girl who actually acts like a normal one, he thought, smiling a little as he ruffed her hair a bit. As she laughed and pushed him over playfully, he was glad she was at least a little okay. I don't know what to expect from her. I've never really dated anyone. Never had an interest. I've only ever slept with Tsunade and SHE is a slut. It's nice to actually have to guess and be caught unexpected. It's normal. I like normal.

He flicked water from the tub as he thought about this, and when she looked at him in mock rage, he couldn't help but laugh. Hinata trying to be angry was funny. She began chasing him around the island with a blown-out candle, threatening to hit him over the head with it, but there was no anger in her voice, so he was okay. Sasuke just tried to keep his towel on and not trip while he laughed his head off.

Eventually, Hinata figured out she could jump across the island and she tackled him, both of them falling to the floor, Hinata falling on top of him. They looked into each other's eyes and before both knew it, they were kissing again. It was sweet and passionate, not at all driven my a need for repayment or temporary madness. It was how it should've been if they'd gotten together before. Hinata grasped his hair and pulled him closer. Sasuke sat up and kept on kissing her while his hands found the bottom of the bathrobe and began moving up Hinata's thighs.

They broke apart at the same time, Hinata blushing furiously while Sasuke straightened his towel and walked out of the bathroom to the bedroom.. Hinata went back to the window, the blush still reddening her face while she tried to focus on the moon again, but it wouldn't work. She sighed and stepped back, lowering herself onto the cushioned island and resting her head on her fist. She stared out the window, but unseeing, her mind racing.

So THAT'S what it's like when two people like each other with no motives behind it, she mused, her eyes drifting to the candles, the tub, the rose petals, the luxurious bathroom as a whole. It seems so natural, like walking. It's hard at first, but once you've done it, it gets so much easier to do.

She thought about what just happened and her face grew warm again. But I don't have much experience in the romance area, let alone the... she gulped and her blush deepened. ...the sex department. But it seems I've passed the test. It wasn't a bad first time anyway. I knew that the pain was coming, but it felt so good and Sasuke was probably the best choice if Naruto wasn't around anyway.

And to think, Hinata was a bit awed as she thought a little more about it, I slept with the hottest guy in the building. I like Naruto, but all the girls are falling all over themselves to try and even grab Sasuke's attention and I get it without even wanting it! Of course I know, she reigned herself in, he wasn't himself and I wasn't myself and under normal circumstances he'd probably never look at me twice, but it was nice to get that attention even for a little while.

But as she thought about it more, she became more and more insecure, so as soon as she heard Sasuke coming back, she stood up and turned around at the same time and blurted out, "Am I attractive to you or was this just an accident we're never going to talk about?"

Sasuke blinked his eyes and his mouth fell open a bit at the unexpected question. He was fully dressed and he was holding her clothes in his arms. Hinata blushed the deepest red that her body could manage and turned back around, burying her face in her hands and muttering, "Sorry, you can totally ignore that question. I'm just an insecure little freak, that's all..."

She didn't get much farther before she found herself in Sasuke's arms and he was stroking her hair.

"Of course I find you attractive. You're one of the prettiest girls in this building. I don't really date, but if I did, you'd definitely be one of the first I'd ask out. And you're not an insecure freak. That's a cruel thing to say about yourself, Hinata."

She looked up at him from the middle of his arms and he looked down at her.

"We can totally forget that this happened."

"Why would you want to? It wasn't bad, was it?"

Hinata looked away, shamefaced.

"I won't say anything to anyone, not even the girls."

"You can if you want. They could do with a little disappointment. Anyway, I'm not going to tell anyone just because I don't think it's something that's supposed to be shared."

Hinata bit her lip and nodded in agreement, then said the thing that was weighing on her mind the most.

"You have no obligation to me."

"I know, and you have no obligation to me either. But if you want to try it sometime, I'll sure do it myself. Just say the word."

Hinata looked back up at him, his words going through her like an electric current. She wasn't unattractive. He liked her. Everything was okay. She'd liked Naruto for so long she'd never thought about being with anyone else. She went up on her tiptoes and touched her lips to his. A short, sweet kiss. As she pulled back and opened her eyes again, she gave a smile and said, "Anytime you're ready."

Sasuke laughed softly before kissing the top of her head and then gathering up the clothes he'd dropped when he'd rushed over to hold her. He handed them to her and waited while she got dressed. They walked out of Tsunade's bedroom office smiling and talking on their way to go wake up Naruto. They were in for a rude surprise.

I'm forcing myself to write up a storm, and look where it's getting me! Yay! Chapters! Anyway, reviews are much appreciated. Hope you guys enjoyed this bit in the Never Have An Office Romance story and I hope to write a lot more. Kudos!