I'm in the middle of going through all the chapters and editing them. Nothing drastic - I'm only fixing some grammatical errors and cleaning up the style a little. Plotholes will be closed when spotted. However, there *may* be minor inconsistencies between an edited chapter and an unedited one. Whether a chapter has been edited will be noted at the top of the page.

I haven't updated this fic in a long, long time, but after editing all the existing chapters I will be writing and uploading the final three.

This chapter is edited.

Chapter 1: Attack!

Dusk found the Konohan Maiden sailing smoothly through the murky waters of the Hidden Straits, the treacherous stretch of sea that separated the Konohan Empire and Sunakagure. A small but sturdy galleon, she was an elaborate affair, sleek and fine with large sails and an intricately carved figurehead of a beautiful young woman. The last remnants of light washed over polished wooden planks, illuminating the thick, sturdy banisters that ran around the top deck. The night was cold and disconcertingly quiet, with only the gentle murmur of waves lapping against the sides of the ship and the occasional, hollow footsteps of the sentry breaking the silence.

"Excuse me, Sir Daichi." The young guard nudged his companion with a shoulder, whispering. "Sir Daichi."

"Eh...what is it?" The older man glanced down at him, a little annoyed. His assigned partner for night-duty was a newly added member of the patrol squad, an inexperienced, awkward boy growing his first beard. His enthusiasm as a freshly-minted Royal Guard had driven him to pester Daichi with a seemingly endless stream of questions and eager observations, such that Daichi was by now quite tired and rightly wary of what he was about to say. (That, and the abnormally bushy eyebrows that adorned the youth's face.)

"Sir Daichi, I have a sudden, terrible feeling..." His voice was hushed dramatically. "...that something is very, very wrong."

"Oh?" Daichi raised an eyebrow that was of regular thickness. "And what may be so very wrong? I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary." Despite his words, his pace quickened slightly and his gaze traveled across the top deck, scrutinizing each shadow. He had been a guard too long to dismiss any gut feeling as inconsequential, despite his companion's youth and relative inexperience.

The abnormally bushy eyebrows scrunched together; the youth appeared deep in thought. "I'm not sure...all I know is that there is a horrible sinking feeling somewhere around here." He patted his stomach.

Daichi rolled his eyes, muttering darkly under his breath. Eh...idiot boy probably ate too much grease for supper.

Suddenly, a faint scratching sound issued from the side of the ship. Daichi stiffened before grabbing his partner's arm, clamping a hand over his mouth. Eyes widened as something silver gleamed on the banisters; a metal hook whipped over the side and secured itself around the curve of the wooden railings, trailing a length of rope that dangled over the edge of the ship.

"Curses!"Daichi swore under his breath, releasing the boy to draw his sword from the scabbard. "Quick, Lee! Run for help!" When Lee tried to protest he roughly shoved him in the direction of the stairways, growling, before pivoting back to face whoever, whatever, came up. "Now!"

He heard stumbling footsteps behind him as Lee rushed off to alert the others and he stepped forwards by himself, brandishing his sword. "Who's there?"

His yell resounded sharply across the water. No reply came –

But a hand clamped down on his shoulder. His mouth opened in shock. "What in heaven's name-?"

Too late, he noticed the second gleaming metal hook just a few feet behind where he and Lee had stood, oblivious. In a matter of seconds someone's knees had him pinned face down on the ground and a low voice was whispering in his ear.

A low, distinctly feminine voice.

"... Hey there, handsome."

Below deck, the Captain of the Royal Guard, Seventh Division, sat awkwardly in a high-backed chair, doing nothing to hide his boredom and distaste with the current situation. His dark red coat was stiff and uncomfortable, the various pinned-on medallions clinking annoyingly with the slightest movement, and his starched white shirt was scraping against his back. He never really liked the ruffled cuffs, anyway; all in all, the whole ensemble was too fancy for his tastes as well as highly uncomfortable, from the inflexible, high collar to the polished, cramped boots. Sighing, he let his gaze roam around, ignoring the food spread out before him.

The dining room was small and rectangular, with a roof so low the crystal chandelier swung alarmingly close to the occupants' heads every time the ship swayed to the side. Dimly flickering candlelight cast dark shadows across the velvet curtains, which had been pulled back to reveal a large, somewhat dirty pane of glass that served as a window. The faces of his companions were illuminated by a warm glow as they chatted animatedly across the dinner table.

He snapped his fingers casually and a servant hurried forwards, refilling his glass with another serving of rich, heavy wine.

"Oy, Neji." The young man with a scruffy mess of brown curls sitting on his left smirked at him, revealing one pointed canine. "What's with the long face, eh?"

Neji narrowed his eyes. "It's Captain Hyuuga to you, Inuzuka."

Kiba's smirk widened. "I do apologize, Captain,but you've been looking like a walking corpse since the first day of our journey." He stabbed a sliver of chicken with his fork, raising it to his mouth. "A heinous crime, considering that we have such lovely ladies for company." He winked lewdly at the pink-haired woman sitting opposite him, sending a pretty flush across her face.

Neji rolled his eyes. Kiba noted with a rather morbid fascination that one could barely tell he was doing it, his eyes being completely white.

"C-c-cousin?" A soft voice spoke out from Neji's right.

"Yes, Lady Hinata?"

"I-I was w-wondering– would y-you be staying with us once we r-reach Sunagakure?"

"I'm afraid not. My orders were to escort your ladyship and Miss Sakura on your way to the capital, and to make sure you were properly received by the Kazekage. Once that is finished I will be heading back to Konoha."

Hinata lowered her gaze. "I...I see." She fiddled with the food on her plate gloomily.

"...C-cousin?"

Neji sighed. "Yes, Lady Hinata?"

"Why did f-father send m-me away?"

"Lady Hinata, this is not the place and time to discuss this issue." Sakura placed a hand on her friend's wrist warningly. Hinata nodded, colouring.

"I a-apologize."

Neji gazed at the stuttering female next to him; when he next spoke his voice was oddly detached. "I am not privy to the affairs of the inner court, but I suspect that it has to do with Lady Hanabi's coming of age and the deterioration of your father's health." The implied meaning hung heavily in the air and Sakura tightened her fingers around Hinata's wrist encouragingly.

"Eh, Neji! You don't have to be so cruel about it." Kiba scowled, a little embarrassed for their charge. The powerful, highly influential Hyuuga family controlled a large proportion of the Konohan empire, and it was a well known fact that the Hyuugan Elders fiercely disapproved of their heiress, Lady Hinata.

"It's a-alright, Lieutenant Inuzuka." Hinata hung her head sadly. The truth was, she had understood the moment her father had informed her of her coming extended stay at the Sunagakurean court as an 'ambassador'; they were sending her away so that Lady Hanabi, her stronger, more outspoken younger sister, could later ascend to the ruling seat. Still, the knowledge stung and she could not keep the bitterness out of her voice. "I... ...I guessed quite a while ago."

An awkward pause in the conversation ensued, so much that the clinking of cutlery seemed unbearably loud and jarring. Sakura coughed lightly and tried to break the silence. "I was thinking that it is rather strange how we were given such an, ah, impressive escort – normally we only require a few lower ranking soldiers - but to be attended to by Captain Hyuuga yourself..."

Kiba coughed.

"...and Lieutenant Inuzuka, of course," Sakura added dryly. " Despite Lady Hinata's status, I am still quite confused as to the reasons for this arrangement."

Neji opened his mouth to reply but Kiba beat him to it. "Miss Sakura," he began brightly. "Would you by any chance know the name of the waters that we are currently crossing?"

Sakura frowned slightly. "The Hidden Straits, I believe."

"Lieutenant Inuzuka, is this really necessary?"

Kiba blithely ignored Neji's protest, continuing in his chipper manner. "That is correct. However, we hardened sailors – " Neji rolled his eyes again. "- know the full name of the Hidden Straits."

"...The full name?"

Kiba nodded and his voice lowered ominously. "The full name is...the Hidden Straits... ...of Death."

Sakura and Hinata stared at him blankly. "...Really?" Sakura offered weakly, not sure whether she was more worried about the strange name or the sanity of their Lieutenant. "And why is that?"

Kiba grinned darkly. "Because of the pirates, naturally."

Sakura blanched and Hinata squeaked. "P-p-pirates?"

Kiba seemed delighted by their unease. "Bloodthirsty ruffians that roam the seven seas...terrible villains of dishonourable intent... ..." He leaned across the table. "But never fear, my lovely ladies," he murmured, voice suddenly growing soft. "I will protect you with my very life, should it come to battle." He tossed his head gallantly.

"Enough," Neji snapped impatiently at his subordinate. "Lady Hinata, Miss Sakura. The most important reason why we have been chosen to accompany you is because there is a prisoner kept in this ship – an S-class criminal – wanted in Sunagakure. Normally we wouldn't place prisoners on the same boat as a Royal escort, but with the threat of the coming war, most ships have been deployed to protect vulnerable coastal areas, including prison ships." He glared at Kiba. "While it is true that there have been known cases of pirate attacks in this area, the chances of us being targeted is still very low."

Hinata and Sakura nodded. "I...I see..."

"Captain!"

All heads shot up at the guard who had just burst into the room, shouting.

"Captain! We have an intruder!" The youth gasped for breath, hands on his knees. "Sir Daichi– he sent me – hook appeared – rope -"

Neji stood up immediately, heading towards the doorway. "Lee, stay with the ladies here. Inuzuka, come with me." Kiba nodded and was about to follow when a hoarse yell drew their collective attention to the window.

Sakura screamed. A guard was swinging upside down on the other side of the glass, desperately grappling for a hold. Somewhere above there was a short burst of laughter from a woman and a quiet, but distinct mumble –"How troublesome"; then the guard dropped like a stone.

"Sir Daichi!" Lee cried out, rushing to the window and desperately trying to break through the window as a loud splash resonated through the night.

Gritting his teeth, Neji ran through the narrow corridors and up the main stairway to the top deck, Kiba following close at his heels. The cold, salty wind stung their cheeks, whipping their coats around their legs as they turned left to dash across the wooden planks. Two dark figures were balanced comfortably atop the wooden railings, peering down at the splashing and shouting below.

"Ino," the taller, lanky silhouette drawled lazily, "did you have to do that? You're so troublesome..."

"Shut up, you lazy swine. Don't complain when I'm doing all the work for you."

"You there!" Kiba shouted. "Stay where you are!" He drew his sword, brandishing it threateningly at the two intruders as he stepped forwards. "Who are you?"

"Don't be rash!" Neji warned, drawing his own sword. "There could be more of them – where the hell are the reinforcements?"

Suddenly a short dagger skimmed between them from behind, embedding itself a hairsbreadth from his feet. Kiba jumped back with a yell. The weathered wood cracked around the blade, such was the force of the throw. Wide-eyed and furious, Neji spun around and stopped short.

Metal hooks gleamed wickedly in the first shafts of moonlight. Two more figures were climbing onto the deck on the other side of the ship, while a third, presumably the one who had thrown the dagger, swung over the railings in one smooth motion.

"Damn..." Her voice rung out sweetly through the tension in the air. "... ...I missed."