It's better not to ask about this one. . . Just don't.

Another AU. Now I'm hitting up the Middle Ages Era. Fabulous. XD

Guess what pairing it is? I dare you. :P

Also, for those of you who don't have a thesaurus at hand, chevalier is a gentleman, preferably a gallant one. . . Like a knight. :)

Disclaimer: I wish Sasuke would just die already. . .

I.

She woke in a dead sweat.

She had been dreaming again, something about wild dogs with flesh in between their canines.

She half-wondered if it was an omen of some sort.

TenTen shifted, turning to face the wall.

Lee should be up by now, as well as Naruto.

Again she turned, throwing a curious glance to her bunkmate.

Sakura was still fast asleep.

Pursing her lips, TenTen slid out of her bed and placed her feet on the cold floor.

She shivered silently.

Taking care to be as quiet as possible, TenTen pulled on her leggings, shrugging on a chemise and another tunic over her long-sleeved undershirt.

When her attire was passable, she sat on her bed to slip on her shoes.

After securing the leather strings, TenTen tiptoed to the door, hefting it open before exiting into the hallway.

She tread down the long hallway to the dining hall.

It was next to empty, but TenTen spotted Lee's black head, bent over a bowl of porridge.

He smiled when she sat across from him.

"Morning," he greeted amiably.

TenTen nodded.

"What do you say we go hunting today? We haven't been out in a while."

"Because it's been so cold," commented Lee. He shook his head. "I can't today, TenTen; I'm sorry. Lord Jiraiya has instructed me to teach the squires today. Apparently, they've been doing more joking than training."

At TenTen's disappointed expression, Lee reached out and briefly clasped her hand.

"We'll go hunting tomorrow. I promise."

TenTen sighed and nodded, glancing around.

"All right then."

She sat there for almost an hour, listening to Lee go on about some sort of tournament in a few weeks.

TenTen rarely competed in the tournaments; there was easy discrimination towards women entering the tournaments. When TenTen had been rejected from entering her second tournament ever, she went and complained to Lord Jiraiya. He sympathized with her, and offered a small piece of advice: Men will be men, TenTen, and even despite the fact that you've earned your title, they will overlook you, just because of your gender.

Lord Jiraiya was renowned for his wisdom, so TenTen had trusted him and varied out her ingress.

Lee eventually stood and made his way out of the dining hall, imparting a goodbye to his friend.

TenTen meandered aimlessly for a while around outside before walking back to her living quarters.

On her way back, she met Sai in the hallway.

He had been looking for her.

"Lord Jiraiya has requested for you to come see him. He's outside in the stables."

TenTen nodded in acknowledgment and Sai left, continuing on his way down the hall.

TenTen quickly arrived at her living quarters, where Sakura was sleepily rising.

"You're up early," the younger woman murmured hoarsely. "Where'd you go?"

"I was talking to Lee for a little bit in the dining hall. And Sai just told me Lord Jiraiya needs to speak to me."

Sakura's eyebrows rose.

"What for?"

TenTen shrugged, pulling on a surcoat for warmth.

"I guess I'll just have to go out to the stables and ask him!" she called, letting the chamber door fall behind her.

The dead grass crunched under her feet as she walked outside, her arms crossed tightly across her chest.

It was the middle of winter and the days were shorter, making every motion feel as if it mattered.

It was noon, and the sun cast an eerie light on the world, its light blocked by the frighteningly white, winter sky.

As Sai had said, Lord Jiraiya was in the stables, brushing his Hackney's dark mane.

When he heard her enter, he threw her a quick smile.

"Good afternoon," he genially murmured.

"Sir," responded TenTen with a slight bow.

Silence stretched out into minutes. TenTen was confused.

"Sir? Sai told me you needed to speak with me about some matter."

"Yes," stated Jiraiya, "I do. I have a mission I believe only you can help me with."

TenTen immediately perked up.

Lord Jiraiya had not sent her on any missions of particular importance in months; she was excited.

"What is it?" she responded eagerly.

Jiraiya appraised her.

"You've heard of the Uchihas?"

TenTen pulled a slight face.

"Vaguely," she answered.

"Well, the Uchihas have not been responding to correspondence from Queen Tsunade. She has dispatched other knights, but none have been successful in cultivating why the Uchihas have not been cooperative. She has requested my help, and I'm sending you."

TenTen bit her lower lip, a habit she had developed during her squire training. She only did it when something puzzled her.

Eventually she had to ask, "Why? You could send Sai or even Naruto. I'm not skilled in espionage, Lord Jiraiya. I wouldn't be suitable for this task."

Lord Jiraiya inclined his head.

"True, that Sai or Naruto would be a more probable choice, but you are the only one in this area that is both a knight, and a woman."

TenTen did not understand why this had special significance.

"Is there a reason why—?"

"TenTen, being that you are both a woman and a knight, this is the best possible mission for you. With your training, you can detain most males, and being that you are a woman, well . . . you have your own designated section of espionage, that only those of your gender know."

"Oh. You want me to . . . persuade them."

Lord Jiraiya sent her a sly smile.

"Yes. That's what I want, and what Tsunade wants. Obtain the information at any costs, understand?"

"Yes, sir."

"I'll have one of the squires prepare your horse tonight, and you'll leave tomorrow morning."

TenTen nodded and started towards the entrance.

She paused however in the entryway and turned back, curious.

"Sir, why can't I take a page with me? It'd be easier. . ."

"Too suspicious. I'm sending you by yourself."

TenTen nodded again, and bowed shortly before leaving.

"And you're going on this mission . . . by yourself?"

TenTen nodded quickly, folding her tunic in fourths.

"But . . . what if something happens? Lord Jiraiya said that other knights came back empty-handed. What does he expect from you?"

TenTen felt a pinprick of annoyance at that last comment, but ignored it, saying, "He expects me to be able to handle the situation in a way that no male knight could accomplish."

Sakura's green eyes widened.

"He expects you to play with them? What if—!"

"Sakura. You're taking this out of proportion. I haven't had a serious mission in months. If I do well, I'll be paid handsomely. And I'll receive more missions. Which means more money."

Sakura sighed, doubtful.

"Fine. You'll send post though, correct? I'll just be stuck here with all of these boys for however many months," scoffed Sakura.

"I might. It depends on how strange these Uchihas are. How strict they are. . . Sending post might be threatening to my completion of the mission."

Understandably, Sakura nodded, standing to her feet.

"Well, I'm going to supper. Are you coming?"

TenTen shook her head.

"No. I'm not hungry, and I still have to finish packing my satchel."

"Alright."

A second later, TenTen heard the door close.

She exhaled loudly and laid back on her bed, restless.

Yep. That's the first chapter.

Also, in this particular Fic, when people are referring to Jiraiya as 'Lord', I wanted to clarify that he is the equivalent of a baron. They just refer to him that way informally.

:)

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