The next two days went by quickly. Asuka finished reading the book and was excited to place it with the rest of the books from the series. Neji had relaxed about the whole situation too and now that she was going home things could get back to normal.

Asuka enjoyed her quiet afternoon walk home. Once home, she unpacked her things and flopped forward on her bed.

"I missed you." Asuka said aloud as she ran her hand over her blankets.

After reminiscing for a short time she decided to go for a walk. As she walked she ended up going past the place she had first met Kakashi Sensei. She decided to lay under the tree and look up at the clouds. The air was warm and the breeze was cool.

Asuka let out a sigh.

"I see you're taking advantage of this beautiful day." Neji said.

Asuka sat up and faced Neji. "Absolutely, after being in the hospital for the three days after I woke up was kind of sucked."

Neji sat down beside her and leaned up against the tree.

"Have you heard anything yet from Amaya?" Neji asked.

"No, nothing yet, but it hasn't been very long since she left."

"Well I wouldn't give up just yet."

"Thanks Neji."

Asuka laid down and placed her head on Neji's lap and continued watching the clouds. Neji began to play with her hair. It was moments like these that Asuka was beginning to cherish. Then what seemed out of nowhere her thoughts drifted to the Akatsuki.

"I'm surprised that the Akatsuki haven't made their move yet." Asuka said.

"They are probably just buying time to get things set up." Neji replied.

"I suppose... If you ever have to go up against them promise me you'll be careful."

"I will always try to come back to you."

Neji leaned down and kissed Asuka's forehead. Asuka smiled at Neji and he smiled back.

As Asuka looked at the sky through the branches of the tree a spider unexpectedly fell on her. Asuka let out a loud shriek, jumped up and zapped in ice in a matter of seconds. Neji jumped up in reaction to Asuka.

"What is it? Did someone attack us?!"

"It... was... a... spider..." Asuka huffed as she recovered from her giant surge in adrenaline.

"A spider?" Neji looked unimpressed.

"It was a big spider alright." Asuka defended.

Neji picked up the block of ice the spider was now frozen inside and examined it.

"The thing is only an inch long."

"Only an inch?!"

"Don't scare me like that. You gave me a heart attack." Neji said coolly.

"I'm sorry but to me, or any girl for that matter, an inch is a huge spider!"

"It's not poisonous."

"Not the point!"

Neji just smiled at her. "Why don't we go for a walk? It will help you settle down."

"Sure."

The two walked hand in hand and talked generally. As they were walking they bumped into Shikamaru and a couple other shinobi.

"Hey Shikamaru you heading out on a mission?" Asuka asked.

"Yeah, the Akatsuki are on the move so a bunch of us are heading out to go look for them."

"I take it Naruto doesn't know." Neji said.

"No, and we want to keep it that way."

"No problem," Asuka said.

"I'll see you when I get back." Shikamaru said.

"Be safe." Asuka called out as Shikamaru left and waved his hand in response.

Asuka and Neji continued walking and talking.

"What do you say to getting something to eat?" Neji asked.

"I think food sounds wonderful. If we just pick up a few things I could make something."

"Sounds good to me."

So the two gathered the few things Asuka needed then headed back to her place.

"I guess this is your first time seeing the inside of my place isn't it?" Asuka asked as she unlocked the door.

"Yes it is." Neji replied as they entered.

Asuka watched as Neji took in what her place looked like.

"It's cleaner than I expected."

"My mom was insistent that things be kept clean because it was easier to pack and move. We also didn't have too much stuff so it was easy to keep clean." Asuka explained as she started working on some lunch for the two of them. Neji took a seat at the table and watched her work.

"What do you think you'll do if Amaya comes back with your father?" Neji asked.

"Honestly, I don't know. Part of me is angry at him for not being around and the other part is excited at the fact that I could meet him."

"I'm sure you will know what to do when the time comes." Neji comforted.

"As long as you are by my side I'm sure I can face it."

Neji smiled at her.

Asuka finished making lunch an set a bowl of chicken soba in front of Neji, a bowl in her spot and sat down. They ate their food in silence and then migrated to the couch and cuddled. Asuka was more tired then she realized because she passed out.

When Asuka awoke she realized she had slid down and her head was resting on Neji's lap. Neji was looking at her with a smile on his face.

"Sleep well?" he asked.

"I guess so. I didn't even know I was tired."

"It's to be expected. You're probably still recovering."

"What time is it?" Asuka asked as she sat up.

"Two in the afternoon."

"Hey love birds, what are you doing inside? Its a perfect day for training." came Naruto's voice from behind them through Asuka's living room window.

"Naruto! Don't you know its rude drop in unannounced." Neji scolded.

"Why what were you about to do?" Naruto teased.

"It's not like that!" Neji defended.

Asuka just giggled and then took a better look outside.

"Actually, Naruto why don't we gather everyone and go to a near by lake?" Asuka suggested.

"Sure! I just got back from a mission so that sounds like the best way to unwind."

"Count me in." Neji said.

"Shadow clone jutsu." Naruto said and then told his clones to go gather all his friends and bring them to the lake.

"Alright then so we'll meet you there Naruto." Asuka said.

"See ya there." Naruto said as he disappeared from sight.

Neji and Asuka grabbed a beach blanket and a couple of towels then headed straight for the lake. Once there they set everything up. They just finished when everyone except Team Asuma showed up.

"Great idea Asuka!" Sakura greeted.

"Yeah thanks for the invite." Tenten said.

"What's everyone waiting for? Lets get in the water!" Naruto enthused.

"I am right behind you Naruto!" Lee responded.

"Come on Akamaru! Lets dive in." Kiba said.

"I think I'll wait till the excitement dies down a little." Shino said quietly.

"May I join you?" Hinata asked Asuka who was now sitting on the blanket.

"Of coarse." Asuka said. "Aren't you going in Neji?"

"I will a little later. What are you going to do?" Neji asked.

"I'm just going to tan for a little bit then I'll go in." Asuka replied.

Asuka laid on her stomach and listened contently to the sounds of everyone enjoying themselves.

After Asuka had a chance to enjoy the sun, she stood up and stretched.

"Well Neji, Hinata, are you coming in willingly or do I have to drag you in?" Asuka asked.

"I'll go in." Hinata said.

"I don't know if I want to get wet yet." Neji said just sitting there.

"Come on Neji, doesn't that hair of yours make you hot?" Asuka asked.

"Nothing I can't deal with." Neji said.

Asuka quickly weaved some signs and a large ball of water formed above Neji's head. By the time Neji realized what was happening it was too late, the ball of water fell and soaked Neji.

"What was that for?!"

"Now your wet so going into the lake is nothing." Asuka gave a teasing smile.

"I'll get you for that!" Neji said as he began to chase her.

"That's the spirit! C'mon Hinata. Shino you too!" Asuka shouted as Neji chased her towards the lake.

Once in the water Neji used an air palm to splash water in Asuka's direction. Asuka escaped it by simply ducking under the water. When she came back up however, she got swarmed by Naruto's clones who lifted her out of the water. Neji then did another air palm and Asuka got the full brunt of the water.

Once she was put down and recovered she began to laugh. Neji let out the first laugh Asuka had heard. "All right you got me." Asuka said admitting defeat.

Asuka swam over to Neji and gave him a firm loving kiss. It feels different when I initiate it but I still love it. I can feel his love come through as he returns my kiss.

"Hey you two, quit that and lets get back to the water fight." Kiba insisted.

Asuka and Neji looked at each other with smirks on their faces and then joined the water fight full force.

The water fight lasted till it was about sundown. Asuka didn't realize how hungry she was till after they got out of the water. Everyone went their separate ways in search of food and Neji walked Asuka home.

"That was fun today don't you think?" Asuka asked.

"Yes, I did enjoy myself. What made you think of going to the lake?"

"My mom and I used to do it all the time. Because we train with ice so much on days like today the heat gets to us more, but I guess you figured that out already."

"I'm just glad you aren't pushing yourself too hard on days like this." Neji said.

Once they were at Asuka's door Neji gave her a tender kiss and said goodbye. Asuka went inside, set her stuff down, got herself a drink of water, and went to bed.