The next morning they packed up camp and continued on their way. Asuka continued to study Neji, he seemed to be fully focused on the mission so Asuka figured she would do the same. After another half day of travel they reached the Feudal Lord's mansion. A servant greeted them as they arrived.

"Thank goodness you've come! There was just another attack on the Feudal Lord's life!"

"Lead the way!" Kakashi Sensei said.

Everyone rushed to where the Feudal Lord was. He sat in a chair in his elaborate room with a blanket wrapped round him and five shinobi gathered around him.

"He's alright but we need to move him as soon as possible." one of the shinobi requested urgently.

"Of course." Kakashi said coolly.

Then as soon as the Feudal Lord was ready they prepared to leave.

"Wait! What about my son? He's all I have after my wife passed."

"Our mission is to escort you to safety." Neji informed.

"But I can't leave without my son." the Feudal Lord begged.

Kakashi Sensei signaled Neji and Asuka to huddle.

"What are your thoughts?" Kakashi Sensei asked.

"I think we should take his son with us," Asuka answered.

"That is not our mission." Neji stated.

"Maybe not but think about it. If his son has had any training then he could be the one behind the attacks." Asuka explained.

"I see, then if we bring him along we can keep an eye on him." Neji concluded.

"Good thinking Asuka." Kakashi Sensei said.

They broke their huddle and looked back at the Feudal Lord.

"Very well, your son may come with us." Kakashi Sensei said.

"Oh thank you so much!"

Then as if on cue a tall dark and handsome type of young man came into the room.

"Father I was off training I just now got word of the attack on your life. Are you alright?" he asked hurriedly.

"Yes, Haru, I'm alright."

"Are you taking him to safety now?" Haru asked as he looked at Kakashi, Neji, and Asuka.

"Yes and we have just granted your father's request to bring you along." Asuka said.

After hearing Asuka speak it was as if Haru was hypnotized.
"I would go anywhere with you, gorgeous."

Asuka caught Neji rolling his eyes. Even if Neji doesn't like it I can use this opportunity to get close to him and find out if he is the one behind the attacks on his father.

"Thank you Mr. Haru. I must say that going on a trip with you will make things much nicer." Asuka flirted.

"Well then shall we begin our journey?" Kakashi Sensei asked.

"Yes lets, I'm looking forward to know this sapphire eyed beauty." Haru said placing his arm around her waist and pulling her closer.

And so they began their journey. It was going to take them about two days to get to where they needed to go. The traveled as far as they could till it was dark and they set up camp. As they sat around the camp fire eating and resting Haru took the opportunity to try and get close to Asuka.

"So beautiful I didn't get your name back at the house. Care to let me in on that secret?" Haru asked as he sat down next to Asuka.

"Its Asuka." She responded shyly.

"Well Asuka has anyone told you that you have eyes like sapphires?"

"Not really," Asuka responded keeping up her innocent and shy act.

"Well then your lucky your with me. "

"I sure am." Asuka said snuggling into Haru.

"So what is a beautiful lady such as yourself doing out here?"

"I'm a medical ninja." Asuka lied. She knew some basic medical ninjutsu but that was it.

"Ah so that explains it. Well don't worry my sweet little dumpling. I will protect you."

Dumpling really? I hate pet names. I just need to focus on finding out if he is behind the attacks. Asuka looked over at Neji and saw a confused but stern look on his face. Asuka sent him a quick wink. Then for a moment he was more confused but then she saw the light go on in his head.

Finally, it was time for sleep.

In the middle of the night Asuka found herself awake and unable to get back to sleep. When she sat up she saw Neji blankly staring into the fire.
"Couldn't you sleep either?" Asuka asked.

"Just keeping watch." Neji said plainly.

"You don't have to. My ice dome is laced with chakra so if anything even touches it then I will be alerted." Asuka explained.

Neji activated his byakugan and scanned the dome.

"I'm impressed, the weave of chakra is quite tight."

"Thanks, my mom taught me everything I know."

"Your mother sounds like she was an interesting woman." Neji said returning his eyes to normal.

"She was pretty special." Asuka said smiling.

There was a long pause. Is he actually showing an interest in me? Damn it why does he have to be so hard to read? But again why do I even care? Stop thinking about your emotions its time to focus on the mission! I can talk to Neji more when we get back to the Leaf village.

"You can get some sleep if you want, I was having a hard time sleeping anyway." Asuka offered.

"Alright, thank you."

Neji laid down and fell asleep and Asuka kept watch the rest of the night.

In the morning they broke camp and headed out again. Haru did his best to stick by Asuka. After a few hours they stopped by a river to refill their canteens. While Asuka was filling hers Haru came by and crouched next to her.

"So my dumpling, wanna head some place a little more private?" Haru asked sliding his hand onto her ass.

Instinctively Asuka grabbed his hand in order to stop him but then she remembered she had to pretend to be into him. Still holding onto his hand she whispered her reply and slowly moved his hand away.

"You know I would love that, but that would be very unprofessional. And besides you don't want to do anything like that with your father around."

"I see what you mean about being unprofessional, but I don't care about what my father thinks."

"Oh?" Asuka pried.

"He's just a rich old geezer." Haru said with a scowl.

"He does a lot of good with his money though, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him."

"I guess that's one thing got right. Still I'm sure I could do a lot better with his money."

"You make it sound like he's got gambling debt or something." Asuka questioned.

"You bet he's got debt. You know how many times I've had to bail him out?"

"You had to bail him out?"

"Of coarse. His debt isn't recent. I started training when I was five so that I could protect him and myself from whoever came after us. It's saved my ass a few times too." Haru explained.

"So why call us out here only now?"

"Because I pushed him to. He knows its because of his debt but he doesn't want anyone to know about it."

"Well don't you worry Haru we can and will keep him safe."

"Alright you two lets get going." Kakashi Sensei called out.