Asuka woke up to the sun shine on her face. She smiled as she got up and headed to a nearby stream to wash her hair. She stripped down to her bra and panties to keep her clothes dry. She then neatly draped them on an arm level tree branch, walked into the water about knee's depth and bent over and washed her hair. Once she was finished she stood up and turned around. To her surprise she saw Neji standing there.

"Hi." Asuka greeted with a wave as she walked to the shore.

Neji was silent.

"Oh. Sorry, I'll put my clothes on." Asuka said remembering her current state made him uncomfortable.

Asuka started to reach for her clothes when Neji grabbed her wrist. Asuka looked at Neji, but he stared at the stream.

"Is it true?" Neji asked.

"Is what true?" Asuka was a little confused.

"What Haru said yesterday about the way you look at me." Neji clarified and finally turned to gaze back at her.

Asuka felt her cheeks get warm.

"Yes." It felt amazing and weird at the same time to admit it out loud to him.

Neji pulled her towards him. Their eyes stayed locked. Neji slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her completely to him. He then gently, but firmly kissed her. Asuka kissed back. If there was any doubt about my feelings before, there isn't now. They stayed that way for a moment or two then Neji finished the kiss.

"I'll let you finish getting dressed." Neji said as he released her and went back to join the others.

Asuka stood there dumbfounded for a moment, but then collected herself. Once she was finished getting dressed she joined everyone and they began their journey back to the Feudal Lord's home.

As they traveled, Asuka tried her best to stay alert. Her kiss with Neji consistently entered her mind and each time it did she smiled, but then went back to focusing on the task at hand. This continued as the next few days passed quickly and uneventful.

As they were arriving back at the Leaf Village, Naruto was there to greet them.

"Hi! How was the mission?" Naruto asked as they closed the last of the distance.

Asuka glanced at Neji but he was his normal serious self.

"It was interesting to say the least." Asuka said responding to Naruto's question.

"We should report to Lady Tsunade right away." Neji reminded.

"Alright. I will catch up with you later, Naruto." Asuka mentioned.

"Ok then!" Naruto responded with a thumbs up.

When they arrived at Lady Tsunade's office she was sitting in her usual place to greet them. They accurately reported everything that happened with the Feudal Lord and his son.
"Lady Hokage, there is one other matter you need to be aware of." Neji informed.

"Oh?" Lady Tsunade asked with great curiosity.

"I kissed Asuka." Neji said matter of factually.

Tsunade's eyes went wide, but only briefly. Asuka figured it was because Tsunade also knew that shinobi are supposed to be thorough with their reports. Obviously, this was something Neji took very seriously. Asuka felt herself blush. Keep your clothes on Asuka. You are in front of the Hokage. But damn I'm hot. No! Keep the clothes on! Keep the clothes ON!

"Is this true Miss Nakamura?" the Hokage asked with great intrigue.

"Yes Ma'am." Asuka answered.

Asuka glanced out of the corner of her eye to see Kakashi Sensei smiling.

"Judging by that look Kakashi, I assume you knew something was going on." Tsunade prodded.

"Well, yes, but I am surprised they actually kissed."

"I see..."

"You don't have anything to worry about. Although these two have for each other, I can assure you they both stayed focused on the mission," Kakashi smiled under his mask, "In spite of my best efforts."

They stayed in Tsunade's office till she was fully reassured that Neji and Asuka could still function as a team even with the feelings they had for one another.

As they left the office Neji and Asuka walked side by side. No words were said but Asuka knew without a doubt that Neji felt the same way about her as she did about him.