Chapter 7: Tenten

"Welcome to Mercury City, lad." Said the captain, he crossed his hand and grinned.

"So, this is Mercury City?" Sasuke looked at the city, fascinated at the sight before him.

"This is your first time here eh." The captain said.

"Yes, it is."

"Where are you gonna live?"

"I don't know."

"Hn… You can live at my house if you want."

"Really?"

"Yep." Said the captain. "I really appreciate your help, and you are a nice guy, I trust you."

"Thank you, Ryuichi-san."

Haruno family house.

"Sasuke, let me introduce you to my wife and daughter." Said Ryuichi. "First I'd like you to meet my wife, Ayame."

"Nice to meet you." Said Ayame, her long black hair tied in a braid.

"And my only daughter."

"Hi, my name is Tenten." Said a black haired girl, her hair tied in two buns. Her black orbs twinkling reflecting her enthusiasm.

"Well, Tenten is just about your age." Said Ryuichi. "I hope you two can be friends."

"Of course." Said both Tenten and Sasuke.

A few minutes later Tenten and Sasuke had been chattering in the living room, sitting on couches, facing each other. Though, Tenten was more dominant in the conversation. But Sasuke feel relaxed with the girl. They had been trying to help Ayame to prepare lunch, but the older woman insisted she did not need any help. So, they sat on the living room and Tenten began the conversation to made Sasuke feel more relaxed.

"So, you came from overseas?" The black haired girl asked. Her black orbs twinkling in excitement. "I envy you, I never went to other country, go overseas is just a dream to me. Though I really want to cross the ocean and see the other part of the world."

"I came from Uchiha Kingdom." Said Sasuke.

"Wow, that must be really far away." Said Tenten, shifting her body to a more comfortable position. "So, what brings you here?"

"I'm searching for someone." Said Sasuke, bowed his head a little.

Tenten can saw his eyes darkened a little, her question must had been awakened unpleasant memories. So, she decided to lighten the mood.

"Who? Your girlfriend? Or boyfriend?" She grinned.

"Wha-What?" Sasuke's cheeks turned red. "Well… It's not like that, but yes, I do love him." He said, though the last word almost inaudible because of embarrassment, but loud enough for Tenten to hear.

"Don't worry, I'm open-minded." Said the girl, waving her hand. "I hope you can find him soon, I can help you if you want."

"I don't want to trouble you."

"Don't worry, that's what friends are for right?" She winked, assuring the black haired boy.

"Thanks." Said the black haired boy, smiling slightly.

"Maybe I would need someone's help." The black haired girl said. "But don't worry, I know someone who can help us, my most reliable source for information."

Suddenly Ayame appeared by the door and said. "Lunch is ready."

"Well, let's eat first and then we search for information. Believe me, you'll need a lot of energy to talk with that person." Said the pink haired girl, then Sasuke and her rose from their seat and walked to the dining room.

After lunch, Sasuke and Tenten helped Ayame to wash the dishes then Tenten drag him outside. They walked for awhile and in an hour they arrived at Yamanaka Castle. Tenten talked with the guard for awhile, and in minutes Sasuke find himself in a garden with Tenten and Yamanaka Ino, the princess of Yamanaka Kingdom. The princess sure is beautiful with her long blonde hair and blue eyes. Looks like Naruto, yet so different, Ino's presence brings authority in the air. But, Naruto is different. Naruto is honest and innocent.

"Sasuke, meet Yamanaka Ino, the princess of Yamanaka Kingdom and one of my childhood friend." Said Tenten, and then she added. "Also my most reliable source for information."

"Who's your most reliable source for information?" Ino snapped, glaring at Tenten.

"I'm Uchiha Sasuke, nice to meet you." The black haired boy said.

"Uchiha Sasuke?! Are you the prince of Uchiha Kingdom?" Asked Ino.

"Well… Yes."

"I heard you were betrothed with the princess from Uzumaki Kingdom, but things don't run smoothly."

"Uzumaki Kingdom and Uchiha Kingdom?!" Tenten said loudly. "I heard Uzumaki Kingdom is the wealthiest Kingdom, famous because of its best in wine quality and silk. Oh, and also gold mines. And Uchiha Kingdom is famous because of their undefeatable army, and I heard it is also the biggest Kingdom."

"Well, it seems your wide forehead friend has rubbed on you. You are more brainy now." Ino smiled, teasing the black haired girl.

"Maybe… Ino pig." Tenten smirked.

"You… You odango!" The blond screamed.

Sasuke sweat dropped as he saw those girls keep screaming at each other, and he decided to speak to them. "Uhh… guys?!"

"Oh! Gomen ne Sasuke-kun, I almost forget." The black haired girl blushed. "Okay, well Ino, I believe Sasuke needs to talk to you."

"Well, I will go straight to the point. Did Naruto have come here recently?"

"Heeh, You are so impatient." The blond haired girl smirked. "Well, I believe a Prince from Uzumaki Kingdom did came here, strangely the boy's name is Naruto. I thought Naruto is a princess, not a prince."

"Well… He was a princess." Said Sasuke.

"Was?"

"It's a long story…"

"It's okay, you can tell me later, if you want to."

"I'm sorry. I have to find Naruto as fast as possible. After I find him, I will tell you about it."

"Don't worry. The most important thing is to find him, right?" The blond smiled. "I believe he went to Winter Castle."

"Winter Castle?"

"Winter Castle is a Tower not far from Mercury City. It located near Undine mountain. Many rumors said it is a witch tower." Said Tenten.

"Tenten can bring you there." Said Ino. "We and two other girls often went there when we're kids right? You must have known the terrain well."

"No problem. I still went there, only once a month though." The black haired girl smiled.

"You two went to witch tower?"

Both girls laughed. "Come on, it is only rumor. Anyway, the area around there is full of flower, herbs, and mushrooms if you know where to search. Be careful though, some of the mushrooms are poisoned."

"So, Sasuke-kun. When do you want to go?" Asked Tenten.

"Anytime."

"Tommorow then." Said the black haired girl. "We have to walk around 4 hours to reach the tower, so rest well."

"Okay."

And they talked until almost dinner time. Then they went back to Tenten's house and had dinner. Then Sasuke decided to sleep early.

'Tommorrow… Finally, tomorrow I can see you again, Naruto.' He thought.

In a minute, Uchiha Sasuke drifted to the dreamland.

Tbc…

Okay, the character here originally is Sakura. But I realized Sakura has appeared at Uzumaki Kingdom, so I changed her to Tenten

And for information, I will be going for awhile at December for holiday maybe around 3 weeks. So, I maybe would not update until January.