Author's Note from Panda: This is a story idea that came to me after watching the movie Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World and the similarities are surface level at best. If anything, it inspired the setting. So enjoy.

The string quartets sung through the ballroom over the chatter of a hundred guests. The floors, walls, and ceiling were aglow with golden splendor from a thousand candles. Creating a warmth that spread throughout the dozens of young couples milling about on the dance floor. At one corner lay a banquet table as long as a ship's mast, decorated with cakes and fruits and succulent treats for gentlemen and ladies to snack on at their heart's content. The champagne towered over the tallest man present. Bit by bit it was picked away like the pyramids of Egypt. In the center of the room, couples danced in merriment or stiff distain, whatever the individual preference. And in the corner stood Lady Sakura Haruno and her best friend Lady Ino Yamanaka. The former holding a cup of wine close to her lips and the other resting from a long dance with a very handsome artist prodigy, Sai Sparrowfoot.

Lady Sakura tilted back her crystal glass to down the last of her white wine. If there was a mud pit being slammed by a monsoon on the other side of the world, she would happily be there than here. Dressed to the nines in a white ballgown, an inch-thick layering of make-up, and a corset trying and failing to suffocate her to death; she felt like a circus clown surrounded by the world's most pompous audience. And may the Lord help her and keep her if she ever voiced such thoughts while in the other corner sat King George the 3rd looking down on her and the rest of the guests.

London's Debutante Ball. The most exclusive party of the year in all of Great Britain. The one night of the year where the daughters of the elite in London and across the Empire came to debut themselves to the most eligible bachelors in the world. All for the sole purpose of finding a suitable match. Of which, Lady Sakura, Lady Ino, and all their childhood friends were attending.

"If you keep frowning like that, your face will freeze like that." Ino said as she sipped her wine, not letting a hair out of place.

"Maybe some wealthy gentleman finds a scold charming." Sakura mocked.

"Only the older lords with peculiar tastes." Ino said knowingly. "You need to snag a younger man. Or you'll have to attend these balls again soon enough. And I know there is nothing you adore more in the world. Besides my daily gossip of course."

"You know what I would rather do?" Sakura asked.

"Yes, but I've learned its pointless to interject once you get going-"

"I would rather my father spend less on my dress and more on the estate. With the state of things is it any wonder that our barley failed this harvest?"

"Perhaps you should court a farmer. I'm sure your parents would approve."

"I could manage my father's estate better than my brother could and see it prosper." Sakura insisted. "Instead I have to be here. At the mercy of whatever gentleman sees fit to court me as he would a fine horse."

"As is the fate of all woman-kind." Ino sighed, finishing for her friend's tired old speech. A young man walked by carrying a tray of fresh champagne. With grace and subtlety, Ino swapped her half empty glass and snatch two fresh glasses from the tray without letting so much as a drop spill on her white gloves. "If you've quite gotten it out of your system, drink this, we need to find you a dance partner before you melt into the wallpaper."

Sakura sighed and took her friend's drink. Try as she might, she had to concede her friend's point. She was a woman. A Lady. A daughter of young money. She needed a good match to help her family prosper. That was her lot in life, much as she despised it.

"You're right." Sakura sighed.

"That's the enthusiasm I love to hear." Ino said sarcastically before eyeing the crowd. "Let's see...Who is available? There is... Choji Akimichi." She said, spying her old childhood playmate enjoying his third plate of mini beef wellingtons. "Heir to the largest plantation in Scotland. Since you love your farmland so much."

"No. I saw him dancing with the daughter of the Governor of Capetown."

"The black girl? Well..." Ino said, finding it curious that Choji would have such exotic tastes. Though it made sense the longer she thought about it.

"Kiba Inuzuka then?" Ino suggested.

"A brute like him? I've heard he gets into more than one duel a month with his big mouth." Sakura scoffed. "He will be dead within a year if he doesn't change his ways."

"Yes, and he is overly found of his hounds." Ino admitted.

"Why not someone intelligent?" Sakura asked. "At least then I wouldn't need to play the fool to maintain conversation."

"Well Shikamaru Nara did just graduate Magna cum laud at Eton college. You two could trade wits as pillow talk. Although he did seem interested in the ambassador's daughter from the Ottoman Empire."

"Perhaps not." Sakura said.

"Definitely not Shino. A naturalist more interested in bugs than women I'm afraid." Ino decided.

Sakura shuddered. "I don't like bugs."

"I'll keep you clear of his line of sight. Though who knows where he lurks to." Ino promised, taking a sip of her drink. "Lee Rockston is still engaged with Tenten, which I am sure you are relieved to hear."

Sakura shuddered. She remembered Lee and his father coming to her family's estate once. The boy only a year older than her had asked for her hand in marriage at the ripe old age of 12. Thankfully she had not bled yet or her father might have agreed and Lee would not have been smitten by the daughter of the Master of the Horse a short time later.

"That leaves Neji Hyuga among the bachelors I know." Ino said. "Although you didn't hear it from me. Word around the garden is that he intends to court Hinata this very night."

Sakura blew out a puff of air that blew up her bangs out of her eyes. When she did, she spotted a very familiar face across the room. "It can't be...is that Naruto?"

"Who?" Ino said, following Sakura's gaze towards an officer of the His Majesty's Navy, dressed in crisp blue jacket with rows of golden buttons and golden epaulets signifying his rank as a lieutenant. Above the uniform the two ladies noticed what the rest of the onlookers nearby were appreciating. The man's golden head of hair, wild in its spikiness, yet almost regal, like the sun. The man's posture was straight, his shoulders board, yet not overly bulky. The physique of a sailor that lived and fought aboard a ship. The man laughed at a joke someone told and his head turned, letting the both of them notice his cheeks and the three long scars that adored each side of his face.

"My goodness." Ino gasped as Sakura remained still. Now there was no mistaking it. She would recognize that laugh anywhere. That mischievous laugh of a young boy that had once snuck ink into her father's tea.

"It is." Ino confirmed. "Naruto Uzumaki. Back from South America it seems."

Sakura gulped. It had been years since she had seen Naruto. Ever since his parents had sent his ungovernable self to the navy to serve as a midshipman, she had no chance to see him for almost 4 years. She only knew because their fathers did business together, but last she had heard he had been sent to South America aboard the HMS Surprise to intercept one of Napoleon's warships. Now there he was. Tall like a man and filling out his uniform perfectly.

It didn't take long for Ino to notice Sakura staring at Naruto. "Well...so much for you aiming for high intelligence."

Sakura shook her head. "I'm not courting him. I'm just surprised to see him is all."

"Well don't look now, but I believe he is coming right this way."

"He's what?!" Sakura hissed in a panic.

"Ahem." Naruto spoke politely.

Sakura turned around and came face to face with the same deep blue eyes that she remembered all too well from that summer at her family estate. Naruto smiled at her and bowed to the both of them.

"Ladies." Naruto greeted.

"Naruto! It's been a long time." Ino smiled.

"Yes, it has, Ino." Naruto smiled. "I'm glad I caught you both at your debut. You look beautiful this evening."

"Well thank you. And I must say, you look far more handsome than I remember."

"Thank you. Life at sea does tend to shave off baby fat." Naruto said.

'And how.' Sakura thought. Up close, she couldn't help but notice the subtle definition in Naruto's cheekbones. Just enough to emphasize his manly features.

"Sakura...wow, I barely recognized you." Naruto smiled. "You have grown a lot more beautiful since the last time we saw each other."

"I hope so, I was 13." Sakura said, cursing her sharp tongue. Her worst trait, speaking too curtly.

"It's funny. You look so different, yet you seem the same as I remember." Naruto smiled.

'Oh, you cheeky snot.' Sakura thought in amusement. "I should the same. You seem to be the Naruto I remember, but I don't remember him being as handsome as the man who stands before me."

"So then we are both at a disadvantage. Perhaps we could reacquaint ourselves over a dance." Naruto suggested as he held out his white gloved hand.

Sakura was taken aback. "What? You're asking me to dance? Why?"

Without Naruto noticing, Ino reached over and pinched Sakura's backside.

"Do I need a reason?" Naruto asked.

"Well, call me curious."

"I'll tell you if you accept." Naruto offered.

"Of course, she will accept." Ino jumped in. "Won't you, Sakura? It would be rude otherwise."

'Sod off with that! Ass...' Sakura grumbled in thought. "Very well then."

"I'm honored." Naruto smiled as Sakura took his hand, it was much firmer than she remembered. These weren't the hands of a boy any longer. Even under the gloves she could tell.

"Naruto, my goodness. What did the Navy do to you?" Sakura asked.

"Gave me some much-needed discipline along with the calluses." Naruto smiled. "Shall we?"

"Let's." Sakura said, allowing herself to be led away.

'He even seems more mature. Is this really the same Naruto?' Sakura thought.

'Hard to say.' Sakura's inner voice replied. 'Look at how he walks? Remember when he used to trip over his own two feet? Now he steps with purpose.'

'He seems so different, yet...the same. It is a very odd feeling.'

'Safe, comfortable, and yet... more assertive.' Inner thought as Naruto turned to face Sakura, having led them to the middle of the dance floor. With his hand still holding hers, he bowed low as custom dictated. Perhaps he had paying attention to all those dancing etiquette lessons they took together that one summer.

Sakura returned the bow with a curtsy. The both of them stepped closer. Sakura put her hand on Naruto's shoulder while Naruto put his hand on Sakura's waist. They swayed with the music until they found their rhythm and stepped to the string instruments.

'I must say, he really is quite the dancer.' Inner observed.

"You've become quite the dancer." Sakura repeated. "Didn't you used to step on my feet in our joint lessons?"

"I beg your pardon, my Lady. For I distinctly remember you placing your feet where mine were going to step. The fault was not mine since you would not let me lead." Naruto teased.

'Well, he has got you there.' Inner commented.

"I concede nothing." Sakura said stubbornly. Bringing a smile to Naruto's face

Naruto chuckled a little bit.

"How long are you staying now that you're back?" Sakura asked.

"A month it would seem. Only God and the Admiralty Board knows for certain. They may send me back out to sea sooner. The French haven't conceded the ocean to us just yet, I am afraid."

"How much longer do you think it will take to end this?"

"I can't speak to that. Satisfying as it is to imagine, the final blow to Napoleon will be dealt by the Army on the fields of France. For no French soldier will set foot on English land while I and the rest of the Navy remain afloat." Naruto swore. "I promise you that, my Lady."

"Ino thinks the Americans will offer aid. I have my doubts. Not after that debacle a few decades ago."

"The Americans?" Naruto spoke. "Let me tell you something about the Americans. They built the ship we fought against at the Horn. Damned sides were made like iron. Our 12 pounders couldn't penetrate even at point blank range. But their cannons could shoot through us just fine."

"My word." Sakura said as she twirled around Naruto.

"Bastards hounded us for weeks. Twice they got the drop on us. The first time nearly proved disastrous. We almost bought it then. The second time, the Captain was brilliant enough to have us flee in the cover of night."

"And what does this have to do with Americans?" Sakura asked.

"They make damn fine ships." Naruto said. "As strong as iron and fast too. Were they manned by English sailors I might be dancing with the whales right now."

"I see. But do you believe the Americans would aid us? I have my doubts."

"I due time. I can't speak for politics but if this babe of a nation is to survive we should both see fit to be allies." Naruto said.

"Perhaps...but I feel they may hold a grudge. I do hope our two nations can put all of that behind us."

"One day. Something my father taught me is that there is no war too horrible or no relations too sour that mutual profits cannot resolve."

"I hope he is right. But enough about that. Where in the world did you learn to dance so refined and precise?"

"Evenings aboard the HMS Surprise, I'm afraid." Naruto answered. "The evenings can get dreadfully boring."

"Ah, I see. That does make sense."

"Yes. Sasuke and I had ample time to practice while the Captain and Doctor Maturin played violin and the cello."

"Sasuke was with you? How has he been doing lately?" Sakura asked, forgetting that he was once someone Sakura had interest in.

"He is well." Naruto said temperedly. "He is here now, actually." He turned his head and pointed with his nose to another naval officer with long dark hair and a glass held in his one remaining arm.

Sakura gasped. "What happened to him?"

"Shrapnel from a 12 pounder. During our first engagement with the Albatross. We were both the officers below deck by the guns when a round smashed through. His arm broke and rot spread in. I think I mourned more than he did for his lost limb."

Sakura cursed to herself. This is what she hoped wouldn't happen. This was the sort of thing she one day had hoped to prevent. But alas, because of her gender, she would be lucky to raise a family after becoming a wife.

"Doctor Maturin did all he could. He managed to save my arm as a matter of fact."

"Your arm?" Sakura gasped.

Naruto held out his gloved right hand and gave it a squeeze. "It is fine. I shouldn't show it off in present company. Mother says it would be bad form."

"Well, you know that means very little to me. But perhaps here isn't the best place."

"Then perhaps I can take you out to dinner. Tomorrow night, perhaps?" Naruto offered.

Sakura was a bit taken aback. "Naruto, if I didn't know any better, I would say you are asking to court me."

"I am." Naruto said respectfully. "Unless, you had someone else in mind."

"I may have other options." Sakura lied. "But why me? Why not Lady Hinata? Grandniece to the King? She has just come out as well."

"To be honest, Hinata never really interested me." Naruto admitted.

"Really? You have the name to be within striking distance of the royals." Sakura inquired.

"Perhaps I want more in a wife than a title. I want you, Lady Sakura."

Sakura looked like a deer caught in a spotlight. She froze, her eyes wide and she had to cover her mouth in awe.

"I saw your reciting of the names of bones when you presented yourself to the crowd." Naruto said. "A bold move. Most ladies sung or danced. You displayed your intelligence."

"You noticed that? Because from my point of view, what I said was discarded as heresy."

"I know...because you were the one who said it. A shame, really. Women can be just as smart as any man. You are proof of that, Sakura." Naruto said, admiring her mental prowess.

"You flatter me, sir." Sakura said.

"I wish to do more than flatter you." Naruto replied.

Sakura blushed. "You are as quick with wits as ever. Yet the navy did not teach you restraint I see."

"One needs wits to do battle with a woman of your caliber."

"Is that what future you would have for me? The wife of a seaman. Waiting for your return so that we may exchange barbs at one another?"

"I can think of no better union. Like two capital ships engaged in battle."

"Is that what our marriage would be? Perpetual war? You must be awfully confused by your relationship with the French."

"To do battle is to test one mettle against another. Ship against ship, crew against crew. Each side becoming better with each exchange. I think of that as the purest romance."

'Comparing romance to naval combat? Was he dropped on his head as a babe?' Inner wondered.

'Whether he was or not, he makes it sound...rather enticing.' Sakura thought.

'Oh dear. Some praise of your intelligence and you turn into one of those swooning ladies-in-waiting.'

'Am I not a lady-in-waiting?'

'Well you tried not to be the swinging type.'

"I am looking for an equal, Sakura." Naruto said. "A partner to look after my estates and a confidant. And yes, a mother to bear my children. I have long thought you would be the perfect wife for me. And time in death's grip had given me clarity. I should have asked you to wait for me when I left, I was a coward before."

"You...you never told me I meant that much to you before." Sakura sputtered.

"You struck a cord with me that summer we spent together." Naruto smiled.

Sakura thought back to that summer and remembered punching him square in the jaw. And him chasing her around the garden with a cricket in his hand.

"Could have sworn I struck something else." Sakura teased.

They twirled once more. The pace of the song starting to pick up.

"Perhaps we should move this conversation out to the garden. Might I take you for a stroll?" Naruto asked.

"Hmm...I suppose a stroll won't hurt." Sakura smiled.

They danced their way across the floor. Passing Shikamaru dancing with Temari, Choji with Karui, Kiba and Shino with girls that Sakura did not recognize, and Neji danced with Hinata. Finally they made their way to the doors that led out to the spring evening air. The snow had just melted and the garden had just started to bloom. Still, the air was cold and necessitated standing close together.

"Okay, now we can speak freely." Sakura sighed. "So what really drove you to choose me over anyone else?"

"Just as I said. I see our union as a partnership. Neither side giving ground to the other. Forcing the other to be better. You have the sharpest wits of anyone I have ever met and beauty I have not seen surpassed in a dozen ports." Naruto re-explained.

"And yet I can never inherit lands." Sakura said. "What I own will be what you or my family gives me. How can we be equals if you alone determine my fate?"

"I cannot change the laws of the land, I can only account for my own actions. How I treat others and who I trust. I see in you a person I can trust implicitly."

"Then you are the only one that sees that." Sakura said wistfully as she stared up at the stars above.

"Nonsense. I cannot be the only one."

"Perhaps Lee. Kiba had viewed me to be a wife to him, but he's a pillock. I once had eyes on Sasuke, but he never seemed interested."

"Yes, I'm afraid Sasuke is interested in a royal match." Naruto admitted.

"I had my suspicions. Now you have just confirmed them."

"I wouldn't be too upset. Sasuke is a good man, but a terrible conversationalist. I wouldn't wish to be married to him."

"I'm not upset. I knew he wouldn't have eyes for anyone shy of the royal family."

"A terrible shame. He looks for a golden ring and misses a diamond." Naruto said.

"Perhaps..." Sakura sighed before looking at Naruto. "So let me ask you this. If I were to acquiesce your request to court me, what would entail to our future together?"

"Our immediate future? My family has an estate up north that my father wishes me to attend some business too. The matter is simple and easily resolved. The surrounding countryside is beautiful. And I would bid you to accompany me there for the duration of my shore leave."

"That's moving a little fast, don't you agree?" Sakura asked.

"I do not. This would be a friendly visit." Naruto winked.

"Is it, now? Your history in such matters speak differently if memory serves." Sakura teased.

"Then perhaps we should make new memories?"

"I would like that." Sakura smiled. "Very well...I accept your offer, Naruto."

Naruto smiled. "You honor me, my Lady."

"I do request for you not to be so formal with me. We have known each other since birth."

"I was merely offering the courtesy that a gentleman ought to offer a lady."

"And you know me well enough to know that such things are wasted on me." Sakura smiled.

"It has been too long then. I look forward to making up for lost time."

Author's note from CMartin: We decided to post this as a teaser. We have a lot of ideas for this to continue, but we want to hear from our readers. If you like this little teaser and want more, let us know.