Asuka, Neji, and Kiba all stood in the Hokage's office awaiting to hear their assignment.

"A wealthy man named Akihiro Ayano has offered us a large sum of money in order to locate his missing daughter. In the interest of privacy he has chosen to withhold almost all the details from us and would like to brief you in person. Here is the location of his home in which he is currently residing." Lady Tsunade explained as she handed the map to Neji.

"I don't mean to question your judgment Lady Hokage, but why am I here? I'm not really a tracker ninja." Asuka asked.

"You are here because I believe you are the right person for the job. Neji will be your captain. Now off you go, the sooner you can find this girl the better. You are dismissed." Tsunade responded.

Off they went.

As they traveled Asuka introduced herself to Kiba.

"Hi, I don't think we really got a chance to be introduced. I'm Asuka."

"I'm Kiba and this is Akamaru. We know you by your smell."

"How do you know my smell already?"

"Because every time we bump into Neji we smell you too."

Asuka blushed a little.

"So what kind of jutsu do you do?" Kiba asked.

"I have an ice style jutsu, I guess that might put a damper on things if I use it and you have to smell someone out."

"Nah, that's what Akamaru's dynamic marking is for."

Asuka turned to Neji.

"How far is it to Mr. Ayano's place?" she asked.

Neji looked at the map, "If we're quick we should be able to get there by sundown."

"Alright who wants to race?" Asuka asked playfully.

"I'm game." Kiba said. "What about you Akamaru?"

Akamaru responded with a bark.

"Asuka now is hardly the time." Neji scolded.

"Oh c'mon Neji we wouldn't be very good shinobi if we couldn't keep our guard up while we raced." Asuka explained.

"There is no reason for there to be a race." Neji said more firmly.

"What you afraid I might beat you this time?" Asuka teased.

"That's not it. Its unprofessional." Neji said.

"I think you're chicken." Asuka poked.

"I am not chicken."

"Kind of seems like you are." Kiba interjected.

"Chicken." Asuka said repeated.

Neji gave Asuka a look that was meant to make her stop. Instead of making her stop however, it just encouraged Asuka to do her best chicken impression.

"Fine, we'll race but only to prove I'm not a chicken, and that I can beat you." Neji caved and let a little smile slip.

"Alright! On your marks. Get set. Go!" Asuka shouted.

They all took off at same time giving it their all. Every once in a while Asuka would look at Neji and he would look at her. Asuka knew from looking at him that he was enjoying this as much as she was. Neji landed at their goal only seconds before Asuka and then Kiba and Akamaru came in not long after that.

Everyone caught their breath.

"Neji wins." Asuka stated.

"You guys are faster than I thought." Kiba said.

"You gave me a run for my money though," Asuka admitted.

"Now that that's settled lets go meet Mr. Ayano." Neji said.

Asuka and Kiba nodded then they headed up the walkway and Neji knocked on the door. A butler answered the door and escorted them into the living room where Mr. Ayano was already sitting. Akihiro was slim man with graying hair and a little bit of a beard. He sat as though posing for a picture with his perfect posture and expressionless face. Asuka figured he had probably had some training in his life. Asuka, Neji and Kiba all knelt and bowed respectfully.

"I'm pleased you came so quickly." Ayano said in a somewhat gruff voice.

"We are aware of the urgency of your situation." Neji stated.

"What can you tell us about your daughter?" Asuka asked.

"Well, she always goes off to do some training even though I tell her not to. Five days ago she told me that she was going to train and we had a big fight about it. When she didn't come back after two days I sent request to the Leaf village."

"It's normal for her to be gone for two days after a fight?" Kiba asked.

"Yes, it's her way of trying to scare me I guess."

"Any idea who may have taken her or what they may want?" Neji asked.

"Unfortunately, my daughter has made many enemies in the past. I would start with some of her old classmates from when she was younger. They all used to live in this area. Here is a map of the places they lived. I'm sure they are all abandoned now but it's probably a good place to start." Mr. Ayano explained.

"If you have anything with her scent on it we would be able to find her in no time." Kiba suggested.

"By all means, please. Her room is the door at the end of the hallway upstairs."

"Alright, come on Akamaru lets go." Kiba said and headed upstairs.

"What's your daughter's name?" Neji asked.

"I would rather not say. As I said she has made many enemies and I don't want her in any more danger than she already is."

Kiba and Akamaru came back downstairs.

"We got the scent." Kiba said.

"We will do our best to find your daughter, Mr. Ayano." Neji reassured.

They headed out following Kiba's and Akamaru's noses.

They searched for two days before they finally got a lead. Sure enough the scent led them to one of the abandoned homes. To no surprise the door was locked.

"Neji can you check and see if there is anyone on the other side of this door?"

"Byakugan!" there was a moment of silence, " no one is on the first floor but there are several people upstairs."

"Okay, I've got an idea." Asuka said weaving some hand signs.

She then put the tip of her finger over the key hole, filled it with water, and then froze it creating an ice key that allowed her to unlock the door silently.

"Are there any traps on the other side?" Asuka asked.

"None that I can see." Neji answered.

Carefully and quietly they opened the door and tiptoed upstairs. Neji used his byakugan again and was able to see more clearly that there was a girl tied up in the middle of the group with a bag over her head.

"What's the plan Neji?" Asuka whispered.

"I think it would be best if we wait till they're all asleep tonight and then we sneak her out." Neji said.

They waited till everyone else had fallen asleep then they tiptoed in and very carefully snuck the girl out. Once downstairs, they took the cover off her head and gently woke her up gently.

"We're here to take you home safely." Neji said.

"I didn't need rescuing, I could have gotten myself out."

Akamaru picked the girl up in his mouth and they all made their way as far as they could as fast as they could. When they were at a safe distance Asuka put up her ice dome and Kiba started the fire.

"Now that we have you safe and sound, would you mind telling us your name?" Kiba asked standing up and brushed his hands off.

"My father hired you and you don't know my name?"

"He refused to give it to us." Neji stated simply.

"Sorry, I'm still working on my bad attitude," she admitted, "My name is Amaya."

Asuka froze.

"Well, its nice to meet you Amaya. I'm Kiba and this is Akamaru."

Akamaru barked his greeting.

"And don't tell her anything else!" Asuka yelled.

Kiba looked at Asuka confused.

Asuka walked around and faced Amaya square on staring at her long and hard. It IS her! I bet she hasn't changed a bit!

"What's with her? She's kind of creeping me out." Amaya said to Kiba and Neji.

Slap!

"Ouch! What was that for?" Amaya exclaimed.

"Asuka that was out of line." Neji scolded.

"Neji, I've told you what this girl did to me..."

"We were hired to rescue her and take her home. I expect you to put your emotions aside and focus on the mission." Neji lectured.

"Fine, just know that I'm not happy about it." Asuka said as she stormed off.

After about a half an hour of cooling off Asuka came back and found everyone but Neji asleep. Asuka went and sat beside Neji.

"I'm not sorry for slapping her." Asuka said.

"I understand your feelings, but this was the wrong time for it."

"I know, my anger just raged."

"We can talk more once we get back to the Leaf village." Neji suggested.

"Alright. I'm gonna hit the sack. Just wake me if you want me to take over watch."

The next morning they quickly packed up camp and arrived back at the Ayano household at around noon. Mr. Ayano greeted his daughter with open arms.

"My dear! I am so glad you have returned. What happened to your face?" Mr. Ayano asked concerned.

"Oh its nothing. One of the girls that kidnapped me gave me a slap across the face. I'm not going to say that I didn't deserve it. I was pretty rotten to them when we were kids." Amaya explained.

"Alright then. I'm just happy you're home safe and sound." Mr. Ayano said. "Wont you three stay for dinner tonight? I would like to thank you for saving my daughter."

"I'm sorry but I'm afraid we have to decline. Our mission is complete so we must head back the Leaf village." Neji politely declined.

"Very well, thank you again for saving my Amaya."

The three bowed their farewell and headed home.