I love you all. That's all I have to say today. Enjoy!

I DO NOT OWN NARUTO

AU

The Blind Prince

Chapter 4: Denial and Pity

The young brunette girl stepped out of the carriage that had taken her all the way to Konohagakure for seemingly no good reason at all, despite the fact that the man she met was intriguing, dark, handsome and very mysterious. She rolled her eyes at the thought and marched herself inside, where she was immediately bombarded with questions thrown at her from Kurenai and her father.

"How did it go?" Her father inquired.

"What was he like?!" Kurenai beamed.

"Tenten what happened? Did you capture his interest?"

"Sweetie, say something!"

"Don't expect anything to come of me meeting that strange boy!" Tenten exclaimed after hearing enough of the prodding from the two eager adults.

"Strange?" Kurenai looked at Tenten with concern in her eyes.

"Tenten, this is very important, that kingdom is highly respected and very wealthy, should you marry into such a kingdom, you would never have to worry about anything so long as you live." Zabuza informed, looking upon his daughter with pleading eyes.

"Just give me a minute to think about everything instead of attacking me wit's several questions and statements all at once, please!" Tenten cried as she rushed up to her room.

Zabuza was about to rush after her when Kurenai stopped him. "Let her be for a bit, she'll be more likely to speak to us once she's cooled off."

"So..." Came Sasuke's voice as he walked into Itachi's room shortly after the young girl had taken her leave. "She didn't leave crying, so that's a good sign, right?"

"Get out of my room." Itachi hissed as he turned his gaze to face the sound of his little brother's voice. He sat comfortably on his bed, but inside he was very uncomfortable. The girl he had met had sparked some strange feelings within him, and he was trying to figure those out before his pest of a brother came along.

"You liked her, didn't you?" Sasuke said, as he took a seat next to his older brother.

"Not at all. She was a disrespectful little brat with an attitude. She would be a terrible wife." Itachi frowned and clasped his hands together.

"That why you're bringing her back tomorrow?" Sasuke smirked and gently poked his brother in the side.

Itachi swatted Sasuke's hand away, angrily. "Quit that!" He barked.

Sasuke merely chuckled and lay back on the bed, relaxing. "You did like her." He smirked to himself.

"No, I did not. I'm bringing her back to set her straight and demand respect."

"You're bringing her back because she intrigued you. Don't lie to yourself." Sasuke warned as he sat back up.

She stripped herself of her heavy dress and changed into simple fitted pants and a tunic before throwing her hair up into it's rightful buns. After this, Tenten threw her window open and leapt out without batting an eye.

Once she hit the ground she took off running toward the fields where she knew her friend would be waiting. And he was. He sat comfortably underneath a tree, seeming to be talking with a small furry creature.

"What is that?" Tenten asked, causing the small animal to run away in fear and squeak while doing so.

"That was a squirrel, Tenten." Lee joked as he stood to his feet. "How did meeting the prince go? Was he handsome? Nice at least?"

Tenten folded her arms across her chest and frowned in exasperation. "He was very rude, and full of himself. But more than that, he's afraid of people I think."

"So it didn't go well then?" Lee frowned. "I'm sorry."

Tenten shrugged. "Whatever. It is what it is. Let's train!"

"He's asked for her to return." Mikoto informed her husband as she walked into his study.

Fugaku looked up from his book and smiled at his wife. "Really? So he liked this young girl?"

"I suppose so." Mikoto sighed happily and circled around the large desk, wrapping her arms around Fugaku from behind and laying her head on his shoulder.

"This is good news." Fugaku said before chuckling at his wife's actions. "Do you think she will return? Does she feel the same about Itachi?"

Mikoto pulled away. "We will certainly find out, won't we?"

"My lady." Kurenai sat on Tenten's bed with her arms crossed and brows were narrowed as she watched the young girl climb through her window.

Tenten straddled the threshold of the window and looked at Kurenai with pleading eyes of guilt. "H-hello Kurenai.."

"Just what are you doing? Are you sneaking out to meet some secret lover?" Kurenai grabbed Tenten's arm and pulled her all the way into the room before closing the window.

"Well, no. Lee is certainly not my lover. He's madly in love with a pink-haired princess he saw once while traveling."

"Tenten what on earth are you doing? I thought you just needed a minute to think, instead I find out you're out doing the things your father asked you specifically not to."

"I know, I know but-"

"Do not give me any excuses. Now tell me how this prince was." The maid servant sat down on the bed and patted the place next to her.

Sighing, Tenten obliged and looked at Kurenai silently.

"Okay, well was he handsome?"

"Yes," Tenten replied. Very. She thought to herself.

"Polite?"

"At first."

"Was he really blind?" Kurenai couldn't help but ask. It had been plaguing her mind and she was desperate to know.

"If you didn't know he was blind at the start, you may not know. His eyes are not blue, and not glazed over like those of a normal blind person. Their coloring is dark, darker than night."

"Seems like you spent some time staring into those dark eyes of his." Kurenai smirked.

Tenten his a blush and she frowned deeply. "I only noticed because... Gah, what else do you want to know? I'm tired and I want to go to sleep."

"Well it's fitting you should get some rest, the carriage driver had a note from the queen asking you to return tomorrow. Seems you really impressed this prince."

"Well, don't you look dapper, Nisan. Why are you so dressed up, do you intend to propose today?" Sasuke teased his older brother who was dressed in fine clothing. Almost nice enough for a ball. He had a white flowing shirt on with a dark burgundy vest atop it, and dark pants to finish. His hair was back like usual, away from his face but a few strands fell loosely around it. "the colors match." He teased.

Itachi tried not to let what his idiot brother said get to him. "Shut the hell up." He growled.

"Little miss attitude is on her way from Kirigakure right now, I'm sure."

"Hm." Itachi replied as he headed to the banquet hall where he would meet her again. He turned his back on Sasuke and made his way down the familiar hallways on his own. The silence they rang through the area was so unbelievably loud and he could almost hear his heartbeat. She's on her way from Kirigakure. He pondered to himself, finally arriving to his desired destination.

It felt like ages, though only a few moments later he heard one pair of footsteps approach him. He could tell that they were not from anyone he was familiar with.

"Hello." Came her voice, the one that he was beginning to relish hearing.

"Miss Tenten." He said, gesturing to the chair across from him.

She sat and looked at him carefully, not sure if she should comment on how nice he looked or not. Her attire wasn't much different than the day before, though her dress was dark green, rather than maroon. It didn't matter much, seeing as how this prince could not see her.

"I see that my actions didn't leave any permanent damage on your face." She finally said.

He smiled, "I wouldn't know, though the pain still lingers." He teased.

"Tell me why you asked for me to return." She demanded, crossing her arms and waiting to hear his response.

"Because you are different than the rest." He admitted. He could feel his cheeks began to grow warm, though he hoped that the blush was not visible to her.

But it had been, and in turn, the young brunette girl blushed as well. She was more than thankful that he could not see her at the time. "How so?" She inquired.

"Obviously I don't frighten you." He responded.

"And?" She prodded.

"Because you haven't felt sorry for me once. You made that quite clear yesterday."

"Should I pity a man who has everything he needs and more?" Tenten inquired.

"Only when he longs to see your face, and never can."