Asuka awoke the next morning very sore. I need to remember to stretch before going to bed. Especially after training with Lee and Guy Sensei like that. Asuka looked at the clock and realized she was late meeting everyone at the training grounds to begin the plan. Instantly Asuka threw on fresh clothes grabbed an apple from the fridge and ran out the door.
Upon reaching the training grounds she found everyone there waiting for her.
"Sorry I'm late guys."
"What happened? You've never been late before." Neji asked.
"I got roped into some training with Guy Sensei and Lee yesterday so I passed out on my couch and didn't wake up till now."
"That makes sense Guy Sensei does have a way of dragging you into stuff." Neji said.
"Well now that that's out of the way lets get this show on the road." Shikamaru said.
Everyone went out to accomplish their jobs.
Asuka's job was to stick with Tenten and be the extra push she needed to actually tell Lee. They waited the hour that Shikamaru suggested they wait before "bumping into" Lee. Neji's job was to get Lee distracted with training till Asuka and Tenten showed up.
"You ready to do this?" Asuka asked as they walked to where Neji and Lee would be.
"As ready as I'll ever be." Tenten said nervously.
"Try not worry too much, we are all right by your side." Asuka encouraged.
"Explain why I need to train with him before I tell him?"
"Because then you let out most of your nervous energy and there is a connection that can happen when two people train together. To be honest it was probably what helped Neji and I warm up to each other."
"Okay then, I'll trust your judgment."
They finished their walk in silence.
As they approached Neji and Lee training Tenten slowed her pace. Asuka used a gentle wind jutsu to help her along.
When Neji saw the girls approaching he blocked Lee's kick then stopped training and came to greet them.
"Asuka! Its nice to see you here." Neji said planting a quick but romantic kiss on her lips. Neji normally wouldn't have been so public with his affection but Shikamaru thought it might trigger something in Lee and encourage Tenten. Asuka of coarse enjoyed it but felt kinda bad that it made Neji uncomfortable.
"Nice to see you too Neji." Asuka said after Neji finished his kiss. Neji then slipped his arm around Asuka's waist. This was another one of Shikamaru's ideas to help breathe romance into the air.
"If it's alright with you Lee, Asuka wanted to train with me today."
"But Neji, I still have lots of energy, please let us continue our training." Lee pleaded.
"Why don't you train with Tenten?" Neji suggested as per the plan.
"How about it Tenten? Will you do me the honor of training with me?" Lee asked.
"I would love to Lee." Tenten answered.
"Then it's settled, we'll see you guys later." Neji said and he and Asuka walked off with Neji keeping his arm around Asuka's waist.
Once they were out of sight they continued to walk towards the market to pick up some picnic supplies for lunch. As part of the plan of coarse.
"Neji you know you don't have to keep your hand around me if you're not comfortable with it." Asuka said offering him an out.
"It's fine, I'm beginning to like it."
They continued in small talk as they gathered the food they needed or wanted. Once they finished their shopping they headed up to on top of the Hokage faces. Everyone else was there getting things set up.
There was a large blanket that Sakura had brought from home laid out neatly with stones on each corner to keep it in place. Ino had placed flowers elegantly in perfect locations to help beautify the area. Hinata brought a couple of parasols to help with shade just in case it got hot. The only thing that was missing was the food that Asuka and Neji had just arrived with.
"Good you guys are here. How did everything go?" Shikamaru asked.
"Our end went off perfectly." Neji answered.
"It's nice to see this plan helped you break out a little too Neji." Ino said noticing that Neji and Asuka had their arms around each other.
Asuka looked at Neji out of the corner of her eye. Did he seriously just blush? Asuka smiled.
"Well lets get to setting up the food." Sakura said taking the bags from Neji and Asuka.
It took about a half an hour for Sakura and Ino to finally agree on the placement of the food.
"Well now that the food is placed it's time for you two to go and get Lee and Tenten." Shikamaru said looking at Neji and Asuka.
"Alright lets go." Asuka said.
When they arrived at the training grounds, of coarse, the two were still training.
"Hey guys!" Asuka greeted.
Tenten looked relieved as the training stopped.
"Greetings Asuka and Neji. Done training already?"
"We're just taking a break for lunch." Neji said.
"Would you like to join us?" Asuka offered.
"Food sounds like a great idea." Tenten said.
"Yes! Let us refuel and then resume our training Tenten." Lee agreed.
The four of them all walked up to on top of the Hokage faces.
"Wow this picnic looks great did you put this together Neji?" Tenten asked.
"We worked on it together." Neji answered.
"We wanted a nice spot to eat lunch today instead of in a stuffy building." Asuka said.
"Are you sure we are not intruding on your date?" Lee asked.
"Not at all. Our eyes were bigger than our stomachs so we ended up with more food than intended." Asuka answered.
"Alright then! Lets eat!" Lee said enthusiastically.
The four of them sat down under the parasols.
Lee practically inhaled his food and Tenten sat there just playing with hers. Once Asuka and Neji had finished eating, Asuka stretched out and put her head in Neji's lap. It was part of the plan but it also felt right to Asuka to do. Neji played with her hair gently.
"This is nice we need to do this more often. Don't you think Neji?" Asuka asked.
"Yes we should." Neji answered simply.
"What do you think Lee would you like to do this again with me?" Tenten asked.
"Yes, it is wonderful to enjoy food in the company of close friends." Lee said.
"Hey Neji why don't we go for a bit of a walk." Asuka asked.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea." Neji answered.
The two got up and headed off just outside of earshot but they could still see Lee and Tenten.
"Do you really think this will work?" Neji asked.
"I do. After I trained with Lee yesterday he asked for my advise about Tenten."
"You mean he does love her?" Neji asked for clarity.
"Yupp all Tenten needs to do is tell him how she feels."
Just then Neji and Asuka saw Lee and Tenten kiss.
Asuka smiled. It worked!
Then as if taking a hint, Neji turned Asuka towards him and planted a kiss on her lips. Asuka melted. This wasn't part of the plan it was just Neji being spontaneous. Lee's voice interrupted the kiss.
"Hey guys come back here. We have something to tell you."
Hand in hand Asuka and Neji went back and sat back down on the picnic blanket.
"What's up?" Asuka asked and of coarse already knowing the answer.
"Tenten is going to be my girlfriend!" Lee announced with joy.
"That's awesome!" Asuka said genuinely happy for them.
"Congratulations you two." Neji said.
Just then everyone else came out from where they were hiding and congratulated Lee and Tenten.
"I do not understand. What are you all doing here?" Lee asked.
"We all came out to help Tenten finally tell you how she felt."
Lee started crying, "You guys are such good friends that you would set aside your day to help my true love and I unite!"
Everyone smiled.
I guess he must be happy. I'm so glad this went off without a hitch.
After about an hour of socializing everyone went their separate ways. Asuka and Neji stayed together as they walked down back into town.
"You know we never did get that training in." Neji said.
"You're right. You feel like heading to the training grounds?"
"Race you." Neji played.
"You are so on!" Asuka said and raced off.
"No fair getting a head start!" Neji yelled as he raced after her.
Asuka arrived at the training grounds first but only because of her head start. She didn't have time to gloat though. As soon as Neji caught up he began the training by shooting a palm at her. Asuka barely dodged it. Asuka then lept backwards and sent a flurry of snow his direction. Neji blocked with his palm rotation. Neji then dashed forward and hit a chakra point in Asuka's arm as she tried to block. Asuka went down for a leg sweep and Neji just lept over. Neji was about to hit another chakra point when Asuka just passed out and collapsed.