The six of them were bounding through the trees on their way to Haru's home. It was their second day of travel so Asuka knew they would be finishing their journey soon. Turned out it was sooner than she thought. She knew Team Guy liked to keep a good pace and she had been able to keep up but she didn't realize they were going that quick.

Once inside and everyone was seated Haru began his briefing.

"As I told you at the Leaf Village your task will be to retrieve what was stolen from me and kill the man that took it."

"What was stolen?" Neji asked.

"A scroll, it contains important secrets about my family. If those secrets were to be revealed to anyone outside the family it would mean certain death for me."

"Haru my love! Is everything alright?" came a smooth feminine voice from the doorway. Everyone turned to look at her as she made her way to Haru. Her long strawberry blonde hair reached the middle of her back and was tied back in a relaxed ponytail. Her figure was petite and when she sat next to Haru it made him look even bulkier than he already was. When she looked at Asuka she could see that she had unforgettable emerald green eyes.

"Everything is fine Aki." Haru reassured.

"Who are these people?" She asked nervously.

"These are my friends from the Leaf Village that are going to help us. The woman with the blue hair and green shirt is Asuka Nakamura and her boyfriend is the byakugan user with the long brown hair. They helped me settle the outstanding debt my father owed. We can trust them my love." Haru explained then kissed her forehead.

Asuka saw Aki's eyes narrow at her and then shift to Tenten.

Once the briefing had finished they were free to do as they pleased for the remainder of the day. It was going to be a two day trek to get to where they needed to go so Haru had suggested that they get a full night's rest before the trip. They all agreed it was a good idea.

Asuka had wondered out into a flower garden and was taking in the beauty and the sunshine.

"I see you're enjoying my garden." Aki said as she stood up from tending to a nearby plant.

"It's lovely, do you tend to it all by yourself?" Asuka asked.

"I have some help from the hired servants but I make all the decisions about it." Aki answered brushing her hands together.

"Your hard work certainly shows."

"Yes, Haru likes to come out here to think so I like to make sure it's perfect for him." there was a pause, "Speaking of Haru, do you love him or have any sort of feelings for him?"

Here we go. I knew by the way she stared at me that she would be bringing this up at some point.

"No, Aki, I don't have any feelings for Haru." Asuka said simply.

"Really? He told me you were all over him when he first met you."

"I only pretended to like him because I wanted to gain information."

"Prove it." Aki challenged.

"How?"

"Is everything alright here?" Neji asked as he approached.

"Yes, Neji, we're fine." Asuka replied.

"Kiss him." Aki said.

"What?" Asuka asked.

"You want to prove to me that you don't have feelings for Haru, kiss your 'boyfriend'. And make it believable."

Asuka blushed. She wasn't fond of an audience when it came to kissing and she knew Neji wasn't either.

"Well?" Aki said getting impatient.

Asuka closed the distance between her and Neji. Neji gave her a reassuring smile. Asuka placed her hand on the side of his face and brought her lips to his. Asuka felt her face flush and she couldn't tell if it was from embarrassment or her love for Neji. Neji deepened the kiss and placed a hand around her waist and pulled her closer. His tongue gently asked for permission to enter her mouth, permission she gladly gave. Asuka felt her whole body grow hot and her passion for Neji grew to the point that she didn't care who was watching. Asuka threw her arms around his neck and threw caution to the wind. Neji moved his hands to her hips and pressed her firmly against him.

"Alright, I get it." Aki's voice broke the silence.

Neji pulled away slowly and looked at Asuka with love. Asuka was disappointed that it ended but she knew nothing could happen right now. They were on a mission after all.

"I'll see you later Asu." Neji bid farewell and walked away.

Breathing heaver then expected Asuka tried to slow her breathing as she turned back to Aki.

I've kissed him before but never like that!

"Was that convincing enough?" Asuka asked. It sure convinced me.

"More than enough... I'm sorry I jumped to conclusions."

Out of the corner of her eye Asuka say Lee and Tenten.

"And you don't have to worry about Tenten either." Asuka said gesturing to them. Asuka and Aki watched as the Lee and Tenten engaged in a make-out session of their own.

"Neji and I helped hook them up. Trust me, Haru is all yours." Asuka added.

Later that evening Asuka went to find Neji. She finally found him on the roof of the house doing a scan of the area with is byakugan.

"Do you want to tell me what that was all about?" Asuka asked.

"What was what all about?" Neji responded playfully.

"That kiss! You've never kissed me like that before."

"It's simple. I saw the way she looked at you and Tenten, its the same look Sakura and Ino used to give each other when it came to Sasuke. So I knew she was going to want to know that you and Tenten wouldn't try to compete for Haru's affection. When I saw the two of you talking I figured it was time."

"And then when you walked away you just told Lee and Tenten that it was their turn?"

"Pretty much." Neji smirked.

"But you've never kissed me on a mission before why would start now?"

"Because our mission wouldn't be able to be carried out properly if someone close to the one that hired us was suspicious of us."

"So does that mean there wont be any more kisses like that?" Asuka asked feeling disappointed.

"Not until after we're married. I've had to restrain myself when it comes to kissing you up till now because I didn't want to go too far."

"I appreciate that." Asuka whispered as she got close and started kissing Neji.

He kissed back not as passionate as before but still with more passion than he usually did. Asuka strung her fingers through his soft hair and placed her hand on the back of his head. After a while Neji gently removed her hand and stopped the kiss. He stood back a little.

"With the excitement of earlier I don't think I can go farther than that."

"Okay Neji."

"Hey you two! It's time for dinner!" Guy Sensei called from the other side of the roof.

The next two days it was full speed to their destination. Haru had given them a picture of the man that he wanted killed as well as a picture of what the scroll looked like. Asuka had studied them insistently.

When they arrived they saw there was no guards outside.

"Neji." Guy said.

"Right." Neji activated his byakugan and studied the layout. "They must know we're coming there are ten guards on each of the 4 floors."

"Any sign of the scroll? Or the man we're supposed to kill?" Tenten asked.

"I don't see the scroll but the man we're supposed to kill is in an office on the lowest basement floor, I'm guessing we will find the scroll there."

"So what's the plan Guy Sensei?" Lee asked.

"You, Tenten and I are going to go to the roof and cause a distraction. Neji and Asuka, once the guards have left the ground floor you'll sneak in a window and silently work your way down to the office. Once you've completed the mission come join us on the roof."

"Understood." Neji and I said in unison.

The team separated. Asuka and Neji snuck around the back and Neji activated his byakugan. Once most of the guards cleared out they snuck in and knocked out the guards that had remained behind. Finally they reached their destination.

"The man we want is sitting at the desk." Neji whispered.

Asuka nodded her acknowledgment.

They opened the door and sure enough there was an older gentleman sitting in a big desk chair staring at the two of them.

"So Haru had the balls to send someone after the scroll eh? Well get it over with."

Asuka was a little surprised that he would give up so easily.

"I don't want to fight you. I told myself and my men that if anyone came after me they were to just let me go because if anyone came after me it meant that Haru is ready to lead and I shouldn't stand in his way." He explained as he stood up, placed the scroll on the desk and walked over to them.

Asuka formed an ice kunai in her hand.

The man knelt in front of them.

Neji and Asuka looked at each other and nodded. In sync they stabbed him at the same time. He collapsed onto the floor. After a few moments Asuka bent down and checked for a pulse. There was nothing. Neji grabbed the scroll from off the desk and they left to meet the others.

Two days later they arrived at Haru's home again and delivered the scroll.

"Well done you guys. And the man is dead?" Haru asked.

"Yes, I checked his pulse myself." Asuka said.

"Very well then, I will give you your payment tomorrow before you leave. For now just relax and regenerate. Dinner will be ready shortly."

Asuka made her way out to the garden again. She enjoyed the beauty of the flowers here.

"You really like the garden huh?" Aki asked.

"It's lovely, I just find myself attracted to it."

"You should grow your own. It wouldn't have to be as elaborate as this but you could grow a few. Which one is your favorite?"

Asuka looked around. "This one." She said pointing to a pink flower with a yellow center that stuck out.

"That is a hibiscus flower. It's one of my favorites too." Aki then took her little spade and carefully dug around it, carefully lifted it out, placed it in a pot and handed it to Asuka. "I want you to take it as my apology for not trusting you earlier."

Asuka accepted the flower. "Thank you, I promise I will take good care of it."

"I'm sure you will."