Ch. 10

Notes: Chapters 10-11 will have direct quotes from Trickster's Queen, and I don't want to be sued for plagiarism, so I'm going to reference them now. Also, Topabaw and Taybur Sibigat are already from the story. I'd also like to mention that the fic doesn't follow the original storyline especially closely, because it wouldn't work too well, and would be entirely too long. And this arc is taking long enough as it is.

House Balitang, Rajmuat, Kypriang, Copper Isles

Hinata sat quietly, listening to the exchange between Lady Nuretin Balitang and Lady Dovasaraiyu Balitang.

"Her Highness is definitely up to something, Dove. Why would she invite you to the moon-viewing party only three days after you arrive unless she has something planned?"

"True. And she knows I can't refuse, since I just came back into favor. What do you think she has in mind?"

Lady Nuretin sniffed. "I believe Her Highness may have intended to humiliate you by summoning you immediately, so she could make fun of your appearance in outmoded clothes. Even for a noble, it is nigh impossible to buy High Court clothes that fit within three days. Well! She may be regent, but she cannot be allowed to toy with her nobles in this fashion. I intend for her to fail."

"But how? As you said, it's nearly impossible…"

"As soon as I heard that you were returning, I had new clothes made up in the height of fashion, with the measurements that I remembered for you. They'll have to be refitted to you though. Even the best knowledge of measurements cannot make up for personal fittings. They will be completed today, as will the liveries for your new maid and bodyguard."

"Liveries?'

"Don't act a fool. You know that the servants gossip even more than the ladies do. If your servants' clothes do not look well, then you'll be in as much disgrace as if you looked bad yourself. Servants are often but a reflection of their masters."

"I see. Is it possible for their clothes to be finished today?"

"We can only try our best. I am certain that they'll be done in time for the party however. Speaking of your bodyguard, though, who is he? Both he and your lady-in-waiting look to be rather young. Your clerk too, for that matter."

"My bodyguard is named Hyuuga Neji. Hinata here is his cousin. They, as well as Shikamaru and a few other new servants, came from what they call the Country of Fire, far to the East. Specifically they came from the village of the Leaf. I've never heard of the place myself, but Boulaj, the village headman at Tanair, assured me that it was a real place, and that the people there are even stricter about loyalty than are the Rittevons and Jimajens. They have served me well, and I trust them implicitly." Lady Dove told her the story that Shikamaru had fabricated. It was mostly true, and that would work to their advantage if one of them was interrogated.

"Hmph. I still believe that they're a bit young, but if you trust them, I shan't make an issue of it."

"I just hope that their Highnesses are as lenient." sighed Lady Dove.

"Hmph. Knowing their Highnesses, they'll comment on it, but they won't do anything overt. After all, it's to their advantage to have an inexperienced guard for you. It makes it easier for them to blame your servants when you have a 'fatal accident.'"

"Aunt! You can't be implying that their Highnesses would wish me harm! Simply because my claim to the throne is more legitimate than theirs, and if anything were to happen to Dunevon, I would be queen, does not mean that they have any inclination toward assassination!" Of course, this was exactly what she meant, and Lady Dove already knew this. This was a mere act.

Lady Nuretin raised an eyebrow. "Very good. I almost missed the sarcasm." She sighed. "Your father and I had wished to spare you the Court Games. That was why he took a Blood-Oath, forsaking the crown. But it seems that events have conspired against us. You are right in the midst of all of these Court Games."

"Um… excuse me, Lady Nuretin-sama?" Hinata ventured timidly.

"Yes child, what is it?" Lady Nuretin's voice wasn't quite so fierce anymore.

"I was wondering what you meant by 'Court Games.'"

"Hmm. 'Court Games' are the games played between nobles in the struggles for political, economic, or social power. They tend to be ruthless, cruel, and snide. Among the ladies the games focus more on gossip, reputations, marriage alliances, fashion, that sort of thing. The men tend to focus on military and financial might. There are exceptions and variations, however."

"Oh… thank you, Lady Nuretin-sama." Hinata bowed slightly in thanks. Nuretin nodded her approval.

Turning back to Lady Dove, she said, "Well, in your choice of lady-in-waiting at least, you made a good decision. She seems to be quiet, meek, and respectful. And she doesn't seem to be the gossipy kind either, that's good. Topabaw has spies on every household, but that doesn't mean that we should make his work any easier than we have to."

"I was thinking the same thing." Lady Dove smiled.

"However, if you just hired her recently, and her people are from so far away, you'll have to teach her High Court manners. Her cousin the bodyguard as well. And you've only three days to do so; I suggest you get on it first thing tomorrow morning."

"Why tomorrow? Why not start tonight?"

"Because you just got back, so you are most likely weary from the journey. Because your people aren't going to finish moving you in until late tonight. And especially because you'll be too busy getting your gown adjusted, and getting their clothes made as well. You, girl, your name is Hinata?" This last was said to Hinata, who jumped, startled by the abrupt shift in the conversation.

"Y-yes?"

"Fetch your cousin, Neji was his name? Yes. Fetch him, and bring him back here for fittings."

"Yes ma'am, Lady Nuretin-sama." Hinata left in search of Neji. She found him quite easily, as he was helping Shikamaru set up his office. Although Nawat had come with them, he spent most of his time designing specialized arrows instead of making the common bird-hunting ones. Despite the fact that Neji still assisted Nawat when not actively protecting Lady Dove, he'd been given time off until they settled in.

"Neji-nii-san, Lady Dove-sama and Lady Nuretin-sama wish to see you."

"Of course." He and Shikamaru set down the chair they'd been moving and Neji followed Hinata out of the room. "Did they say what they needed me for?"

"Yes… Lady Dove-sama, you, and I are all being fitted for new clothes, for the moon-viewing party which the regents summoned Lady Dove-sama to. It's only three days from now, so we have to get the clothes done quickly."

Neji forcibly stopped himself from wincing at the idea. "I see. If that's the case, then Lace and Feather need to hide so that they aren't discovered by the seamstresses."

He held out his hand, and Feather slithered out from under his forehead protector, down his arm, and into his palm. From there, he rolled off, and plopped to the floor with a quiet splat. At the same time, Lace writhed out of Hinata's belt where she had been hiding and dropped to the floor to join Feather. They glided around each other for a second, and then, with quiet chirps, oozed toward the wall, where they disappeared into the shadows.

Neji and Hinata continued on into the room where a small army of seamstresses awaited them. The rest of the evening was a whirlwind of flashing needles, as they were swept up in a flurry of activity.

Three Days Later

It was late afternoon, and the sun was setting. A huge, molten orb of red, orange, and yellow, it sank towards the ocean horizon, turning the sea a fiery gold. The palace was out of place in this sultry, wildly beautiful jungle; a huge marble pile, a monument to human folly, it was an ugly reminder that the Luarin were intruders here. It was surrounded by a broad, deep moat. A moat which Hinata noticed had small, swift fish swimming in it. She recognized them as the fish called piranhas.

Lady Nuretin-sama said that during rebellions, the rulers had thrown captured rebels in the moat, to be eaten by the vicious fish. They can strip a cow to bare bones in a matter of seconds. Sometimes, so many were thrown in that the fish became too stuffed to eat.

The last rays of light gilded the edges of the Royal Palace as the procession entered through the gates. First went three of the six guards, then Lady Dove, who was flanked by Hinata on her right and Neji on her left. They were followed by the other three guards.

Lady Nuretin had convinced Shikamaru that six was the perfect number of guards. She had explained that to take too many guards was considered a great insult to the regents, as though saying that they were incapable of protecting their subjects. However, taking too few was merely showing that you were foolish, for bandits sometimes lay in wait along the roads traveled by nobles.

As they entered the Hall of Gold (thus called because it was reserved for High Court Meetings) the other guests turned to look at them. The six guards immediately bowed to the regents and left for the area set aside for them. Lady Dove swept forward towards the regents, Neji and Hinata following just behind her. "Your Highnesses, good evening. I am honored to have been invited to this Moon-viewing party." Lady Dove dropped into a curtsy which was exactly the depth required by a noble to the regents, and not an inch more. Following her example and the rules they'd been hastily (but thoroughly) taught, Hinata curtseyed and Neji bowed.

All three of them repeated the actions towards Dunevon, the child king, who smiled shyly at Hinata before going back to playing with something beside him on the throne. Probably a small toy thought Neji. The guard at his side gently laid his hand against his shoulder, and he stopped long enough to nod to Lady Dove.

Poor thing thought Hinata. A child shouldn't be in such a position; he probably doesn't have any friends. He looks so lonely…

Her Highness Imajane covered an expression of disgruntled surprise well, and said to Lady Dove, "I am so very glad you could make it, my dear. I know it must have been a struggle so soon after your return, but I simply couldn't be without you! Now please, I must circulate among the other guests, but feel free to chat with me any time you need to!" She and her husband Rubinyan swept out into the crowds.

Lady Dove turned to Hinata and Neji. "You two are dismissed to the servant's areas, go enjoy yourselves. I'll send for you if you're needed." They bowed/curtseyed to her and left, Neji for the guardsmen's room, and Hinata for the area of the Hall set aside for the maids and ladies-in-waiting.

When Hinata got there, she found a quiet place to sit, and discreetly watched the party. She sighed inwardly in admiration of the ladies' clothes. Most wore evening gowns in varying bright colors. Lady Dove was especially lovely, in a deep emerald off-the-shoulder evening gown in the latest fashion, with gold trim and a gold lace overlay for the skirt which complimented her skin tone and figure. Magnolia was still in bead-necklace form around her throat. Her Highness Imajane looked beautiful as well, in a cold way. Her hair was a blond so pale it was almost white, and her eyes were icy blue. Both of these features were complimented by a cloth-of-silver gown sewn with pale blue seed pearls.

Hinata looked down at the cup of sweet fruit juice held in her lap, not realizing that although her dress was not as fancy as theirs, it was still lovely. A conservative style with a relatively high neckline, it had frothy lace spilling from the long sleeves and the throat. It had been adapted from the style of gown which Lady Dove had worn when they arrived in Rajmuat, and was the same lavender-on-lilac color. It complemented her creamy skin and pale purple eyes perfectly. The darking Lace had hidden herself inside Hinata's bodice.

Neji stood by a table in the guardsmen's room, which was separated from the Hall of Gold by a single thin door behind the maids' area. The door's thinness was purposeful; it was made so that the guards could hear what went on in the main room, even when the door was shut. It was also a safeguard against the guards getting drunk, because any rowdy behavior would be heard by the guests. Unlike the maids, the guards were supplied with liquor: beer and the strong, harsh Raka palm wine called arak.

Neji avoided the liquor and instead took a glass of chilled flavored water and some of the snacks that were set on the table. There was quite the selection. Toasted nutmeats, rolled sandwiches, dumplings, sliced meats, and vegetables raw and cooked. There was even what looked like onigiri (rice balls). Neji picked one up and bit into it, only to immediately turn red and start gulping his water. The rice balls were filled with meat, vegetables, and a thick sauce that was even spicier than the 'Curry of Life.' I think I'll bring some of these back for Lee. He's the only one who could eat these. If I tried anymore, I'd get third-degree burns on my tongue.

He retreated to a niche to sit down after refilling his cup, and ate some of the rolled sandwiches. After he made sure that none of the other guards were looking, he activated his byakugan and started scanning the palace, especially the area around the Hall. He located the maids and ladies-in-waiting, the guests, the regents and Lady Dove. He looked towards the throne where the child king Dunevon sat, and saw him kicking his heels against the throne, tired, bored, and uncomfortable. Where's his bodyguard? Must be doing rounds of the Hall. Lady Nuretin-sama said that he does that sometimes. Feeling out the newest arrivals.

Neji turned his eyes upward, and saw several men-at-arms standing on the rafters, keeping an eye on things. Clever. Very few people would think to look up in the rafters, and even if they did, it's much harder to see into the shadows up there than it is to see down onto the Hall's floor. They're probably wearing dark uniforms too. Neji's own uniform was a dark green high-collared shirt, black pants, and black boots of highly flexible softened leather. He kept the Konoha forehead-protector, with Feather hidden underneath. He also had his shuriken holster, although he had replaced half of them with kunai, and had attached it to his belt instead of his leg. From that position they can keep an eye on the whole area, and prevent any 'accidents' from happening.

In the maids' area of the Hall, Hinata had noticed the same thing. She refrained from using her byakugan, but kept alert, visually exploring the area as Shikamaru had said. As she looked towards Lady Dove and her elderly companion a large hand was laid on her shoulder, and a light voice in her ear said, "Baron Qovold Engan."

Hinata gasped, turning to see who it was as he released her shoulder. The child king's bodyguard stepped back a bit so she could see him better. He was tall, at least six and a half feet, but his frame was well filled out, with no sign of angular gawkiness. He wore the heavy chain mail required of royal guards as if it were mere cloth. He continued what he'd been saying.

"He's the royal astronomer, and your Lady's former tutor in cartography and astronomy. At the moment, he'd not the regents' favorite person. He's told them that there will be two lunar eclipses and a solar eclipse this summer, which some people see as ill omens. That other fellow? He's Duke Vurquan Nomru. Old Iron Bum he was called when he commanded the army. He was your Lady's favorite riding and chess partner before she was exiled. They're both quiet sympathizers of the Raka, though the Crown doesn't suspect them of treason."

The man grinned at her. "I see you noticed the guards on the rafters. Not bad. Most don't even think to look up. You're quite the little spy, miss."

"Oh! I'm no spy sir. I'm Lady Dove-sama's lady-in-waiting."

He smiled at her affably. "Of course you aren't a spy. But let's say, for the sake of conversation, that you are. Whom are you spying for?"

"But, sir…"

"Oh! I haven't introduced myself. I'm Taybur Sibigat, captain of the King's Guard. It's my job to protect his young Majesty at all costs. And I take it upon myself to fish out any spies. What's your name, pretty one?"

"Oh! I-I'm Hyuuga Hinata, Taybur-san."

"Hmm. Well then, Miss Hyuuga, whom are you spying for?"

"But I'm not…

He ignored her protests, speaking his thoughts aloud. "If I were being a nice man, I'd let you believe I'm not suspicious of you, and I'd say that I merely seek out all of the pretty girls. It would even be true, and you're pretty enough, though you're far too young for my taste. But I'm not a nice man, and this is important. I'm trying to narrow down who you could be…" He looked her up and down thoughtfully, as she blushed. "…You're not a Carthaki agent. They have a… special whiff about them. A well-polished one; they do unctuous even better than a courtier. You can't be a Tyran, though they're a slippery lot. They just… ooze… around corners. Comes from living in a swamp."

"You must believe me, Taybur-san, I'm no spy! I'm just a servant, a servant…" Hinata was genuinely confused and frightened.

"Hmmm. You needn't worry about me telling on you. I won't do Topabaw's work for him. Besides, he has notified me, through the prince regent, that my assistance and advice are unwelcome." He sighed, and Hinata thought, He seems nice, even if he is technically the enemy…

He suddenly turned and set his hands against the wall on either side of her head, effectively pinning her there, though he didn't touch her. "Whatever games you play here—and let's just assume you denied it with great vigor and go about our day—please, understand. All I care about is the safety of the king. Conduct whatever games you wish here on the Palace grounds with my blessing. Topabaw can use the exercise. But sniff around His Majesty and I suddenly won't like you anymore." His eyes bored into hers.

"Release my cousin." Neji had seen the trouble through the wall with his byakugan and, deactivating them, had come to help. Now he stood directly behind Taybur, hands behind his back, eyes boring into the man's head. "You WILL release Hinata. Now."

Taybur grinned and backed off, raising his hands in the 'I surrender!' gesture. "So the cousin comes to the rescue! Sorry about that. I can be a bit overzealous when protecting His Majesty. Just give me your name and I'll be gone."

"Hyuuga Neji. Lady Dovasaraiyu Balitang's personal bodyguard and Hinata's cousin."

Taybur raised an eyebrow. "Really. Then we'll have to have a match sometime. I'd hate to see any of the ladies stuck with an incompetent bodyguard."

"You will find me more than competent if you raise your hand to Hinata or Lady Dove-sama." Neji refused to back down, his gaze steady.

"Hmmm. Unlikely that will happen. But I take your warning. Enjoy the party!" He left, striding casually back towards the throne.

Neji watched him go, and then turned to Hinata. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Neji-nii-san. Thank you for rescuing me. I'm sorry to have been a burden…"

"Don't worry about it. Who was he, anyway?"

Hinata saw that the other maids and ladies-in-waiting had been drawn by the commotion, and she hesitated to tell him. "Um…can we—can we talk later, Neji-nii-san? I think we're drawing too much attention…"

He turned and saw the women, and then nodded his agreement. "I'll talk to you about this when we return to House Balitang." He returned to the guardsmen's room, shutting the door firmly behind him.

Hinata watched him go, and then turned as the various maids came to ask her what had happened. When she said that she had no idea why she'd been singled out, one of the older women, named Pembery, replied, "It must be the eyes."

"Eyes?" asked Hinata.

"Yes. You've got the loveliest purple eyes, though since the pupil is the same color as the iris, it makes you look blind. You're not, are you?"

"Oh, no, not at all! My—my family all has these eyes… but we can see just fine…"

"Oh? Then that boy must be a relative of yours?"

"Y-yes. Neji-nii-san is my cousin."

Despite the fact that Copper Islanders didn't use honorifics, Pembery recognized that 'nii-san' was a title of some sort, and not part of his name. "Well, your cousin is Lady Dove's new bodyguard, is he? He seems a bit young for it; there are so many dangers for the nobility when traveling, even in a city!"

"But… Neji-nii-san is considered a genius in our family… and he's been in training his whole life for a job like this. It would be bad if he was underestimated; Neji-nii-san doesn't like that."

"Oh? Well he's certainly serious enough. I'd like to see him in action, though I'd never wish you or your Lady ill."

The rest of the party was uneventful. Hinata and Neji found ways to use their byakugan discretely, and began memorizing the palace's layout. They also kept their ears open, listening to the gossip from their respective groups. After a few more hours, when the moon had nearly reached its nightly apex, the party ended. Lady Dove beckoned to Hinata, who knocked on the guardsmen's door, collecting Neji before they both went over to Lady Dove. Gathering her, they said their goodbyes to a very sleepy king and his regents, who bid them goodbye with smiles, despite their thinly veiled impatience for Dunevon's drowsiness.

Back at House Balitang, Neji gave Shikamaru a verbal report while Hinata prepared Lady Dove for bed. When she had finished, she went to visit Shikamaru, and gave him her report. After promising to submit a written report the next day, Hinata and Neji went to their respective rooms and went to bed.

The Next Day

Neji sat at his workbench in the courtyard of House Balitang, carefully sighting along a length of ash wood, making certain that it was straight. Satisfied, he carefully split the hind end and inserted the goose-feather fletching, gluing it carefully and binding it tightly with twine so it could dry safely.

"Not bad. You could probably start on specialty arrows today, if you wanted to." Nawat had stopped flirting with Hinata as soon as they had returned to Rajmuat, finding older girls to tickle his fancy. He and Neji got along well now, and his skill as a fletcher impressed Neji.

"Specialty arrows?" asked Neji, curious.

"That's right. Every type of arrow has its own unique properties, depending on its length, thickness, fletching, head, and the type of wood used. I'll go ahead and show you some of the more prominent ones, or those created for specific purposes." Nawat took a bundle of various arrows and laid them out side by side on the bench. Starting with the one furthest to the left, he began describing them and their properties.

"Here you go. This one is a needle-head. It's made for piercing chainmail or iron-plated leather armor. This is a broad-head; it's used against heavy plate armor or very large wild animals, such as wild boar and some of the bigger Immortals." He continued describing different arrow types, even including fire arrows, until he neared the end of the bunch.

"This is a griffin-fletched arrow. They never miss. You could almost fire straight up into the air, and you'd still hit your target." He stroked the beautifully brindled feathers, which had the feel of rigid silk. He lifted the last arrow from the row and held it carefully, saying, "This is stormwing-fletched, a mage-killer. Neither wind nor magic can change its course, but it will automatically adjust its flight to hit the closest magic user, if there's one among the enemy ranks."

Nawat set the arrow back down reverently, and then, gathering them back into a bundle, told Neji to begin memorizing the types of specialty arrows, their properties, and the ways they were made.

Hinata had submitted her written report earlier to Shikamaru, who had gone over it before asking a few questions, focusing on the way the regents, Taybur, Dunevon, and the other nobles felt and spoke about each other. He took into account the rumors, gossip, and opinions of their servants as well, and came to some conclusions, which he then shared with Hinata and the other conspirators.

Taybur was loyal to Dunevon, and moreover, he loved the boy as if he were the child's father or beloved uncle, rather than merely his guard. The regents found him to be an annoyance, but since he was their only legal claim to the throne, they wouldn't kill him, at least not until they had established a solid enough power base to take the throne themselves. Also, the regents worked well together, supporting each other, and trusting each other as much as they were capable of trusting anyone.

Taybur didn't trust the regents, but he was far too loyal to the crown turn against them. The majority of the nobles either feared the regents, or they were satisfied enough by their rule to not care about their cruelty to the common populace. For that matter, some of the nobles were every bit as cruel as the regents were.

Those who recognized the regents for what they were, and had the courage to stand against them, were few. But those few included Baron Qovold Engan, Duke Vurquan Nomru, and Lady Nuretin Balitang. All of them were members of the highest order of Luarin Nobles, and all of them were part of the quiet Luarin resistance movement, which was, at this point, unaware of the Raka rebellion fomenting behind the scenes.

Shikamaru planned to change that, as soon as he was certain that there were no spies or tattlers among the members. In the meantime, he gave Neji and Hinata a few of the darkings, to be placed in the homes or workplaces of the higher-raked informers of Topabaw.

Shikamaru, in the three days they had been there, had managed to locate the main one, who collected all of the reports of the spies in lower Rajmuat, and with the help of Kiba, Akamaru, and some of the local Raka rebels, had planted a darking in his office, which often doubled as his apartment. Spot, for that was the darking's name, was content with his position, and gave regular reports, which helped ferret out more of Topabaw's agents and spies. Lee had been given an older, more experienced darking named Trick, while Hinata took Secret, whom she was to plant on King Dunevon at the first opportunity.

Now Hinata stood in the sunset room with Lady Dove, trying not to gag as the most putrid stench she had ever had the misfortune to smell rolled over her. The disgusting scent emitted from the being perched on the windowsill, idly gouging deep scratches in the wood as he spoke with Lady Dovasaraiyu Balitang. Lady Dove turned from the repugnant creature, suddenly remembering Hinata. "Oh, I'm sorry Hinata, I forgot to introduce you. Hinata, this is Rikash Moonsword, leader of the local stormwings. Rikash, this is my new lady-in-waiting, Hyuuga Hinata. Hinata is also one of the prophesied 'white-eyed ones.'" Hinata curtseyed politely to Rikash, who merely grinned and clacked his teeth irritatingly. It's so odd… she thought. He has such a pretty name, but he's so, so horrifying…

Rikash was an odd sight. He had the head, chest, and back of a human, and the wings, legs, talons and tail of a huge, filthy, metallic vulture. His silver teeth and talons marked him as an immortal, and his feathers were razor-sharp steel, as hard as the best-tempered sword. He was filthy, streaked with dirt, urine, dung, and rotten bodily fluids. He grinned insolently at Hinata, enjoying her attempts to contain her revulsion.

"What's the matter? Stunned by my beauty?" He laughed raucously.

"N-no, Rikash-san. I was just wondering why you were here…"

"You rebels are stirring up trouble, and my kind just loves trouble. We'll have plenty of new playthings soon, and the regents will provide us with quite the feast! But more importantly, Dove…" he turned back to the Lady. "…I want to offer you my people's assistance."

"Why so generous? Stormwings aren't known for their munificence."

"We're not going to help you rebel. We don't fight wars; we live off them. However, I know how sentimental you humans are about your young, so we stormwings will keep them from getting trampled underfoot, or caught in the crossfire."

"Why? I wasn't aware that you cared."

Rikash looked downward at his claws, clenching them restlessly against the sill. "It is… difficult for my kind to bear children. Because of this, we value the young of other species."

Lady Dove smiled her appreciation and approval, while Hinata looked in amazement at this fetid creature who cared so deeply for children. Lady Dove expressed her gratitude. "Thank you, Rikash. You have certainly relieved the greatest of my worries. If any of your kind are inadvertently injured, through no fault of their own, I will see them healed by a mage."

The grotesque being grinned, and launched himself heavily from the window, flapping his tail three times in a parody of a wave.

"Lady Dove-sama?" Hinata asked when he was gone.

"Yes Hinata?"

"Um, well… What did Rikash-san mean when he said, 'We'll have plenty of new playthings soon, and the regents will provide us with quite the feast.'? I don't understand."

"Oh, that. Stormwings feast on human fear. And their purpose in life is to desecrate battlefields. They tear the bodies apart, urinate on them, smear them with dung, and roll in the mess. That's why they smell so bad."

Hinata nearly vomited. "Th-that's horrible! Why would they do that?"

"A long time ago, a young woman saw the horror of war and wished to stop it. So strongly did she wish it that she dreamed of a creature so vile, so disgusting, that eager young men would think twice before going to war, if only to spare their bodies the mutilation. She dreamed the first stormwing. Their way of life means that rulers can no longer lie to their soldiers about the glory of death in battle. If even one person changes his mind, and holds himself back from the battlefield, that's all they need to justify their existence."

A Few Days Later

Lady Dove rode through the capital city of Rajmuat on the back of her chestnut mare, Neji and Hinata at her sides on their own steeds. They were partly surrounded by other nobles, most notably Baron Qovold Engan, Duke Vurquan Nomru, and His Highness Rubinyan. Near the center of the cavalcade His Majesty, the child king Dunevon rode next to Hinata, who politely split her attention between Lady Dove and the boy. On his other side rode Taybur Sibigat, who kept a weather eye on both the crowd and on Hinata. The whole group was surrounded by about a score of royal guardsmen, who parted the crowd in front of them.

They had ridden throughout the city over the course of the day, discussing every topic under the sun. Dunevon was tiring, his small body unused to such extended trips. Hinata mentioned this to Taybur, who immediately brought it to the attention of the regents. Imajane and Rubinyan covered looks of distinct annoyance, and ordered Taybur to take Dunevon back to the palace. Taking one other guard with him, Taybur prepared to leave the group, turning towards the palace as Dunevon waved goodbye to Hinata and Lady Dove.

Suddenly Neji spun his horse around, charging to the king's side. Taybur, startled, moved to interfere, but Neji knocked his arm aside, reaching forward. His hand closed around the shaft of an arrow, the tip of which halted a mere centimeter from the child king's face. Reaching for a kunai, he activated his byakugan for a split second, just long enough to locate the sniper, and flung the kunai. The oddly-shaped knife buried itself between the fleeing archer's shoulders, and he fell to the ground heavily.

"Guard your king!" he shouted to the guardsmen, who immediately formed a circle facing outward, herding the nobles to the center. As soon as he saw Taybur take charge of the king, Neji moved back to Lady Dove's side. And not a moment too soon. The sniper had friends, who rained arrows down on the company from the rooftops. Encumbered by his sitting position, Neji stood up on his horse's broad back. Luckily, it was a fine, solid creature, steady and unflappable. It didn't even flinch at the arrows, let alone throw Neji off balance. This gave him the double advantage of freedom of movement and drawing the snipers' eyes. By presenting himself as a target, Neji caused the archers to unconsciously send their arrows his way, instead of aiming them at the more vulnerable nobles.

Neji activated his byakugan, reasoning. Hopefully the soldiers and Taybur are too busy to notice, and the archers probably can't see my eyes that well from their distance. As more and more arrows flew, Neji caught each one before it could reach its target. When his hands were too full, he tossed the arrows to Hinata, who caught them deftly. Although to strangers Hinata might have looked like a normal terrified maiden, Neji could tell that she was prepared to protect Lady Dove from all comers on the ground. And soon enough there were attackers on the ground. The attack on the king and the nobles had sparked a riot as commoners panicked and fought each other in a mass scramble with no real purpose.

Neji saw one of the snipers fall to a return shot from a soldier, another to a well-thrown knife from Taybur, who now held the child king in front of him on his horse, keeping him safe. Neji realized that the archers were running out of arrows, and that soon they'd abandon their posts to flee. Determined not to let them escape, he pulled more kunai from his holster and flung them with deadly accuracy, timing it just as they popped from behind cover. However, there were over twenty of them, and he didn't have enough kunai to get them all. He'd only had eight in his holster, and they were mostly used up. He'd only two kunai left, though he had at least a dozen shuriken.

The riot was getting worse and worse, and it seemed as though the guardsmen would be overwhelmed. Hinata had at first hoped that the mob would quiet down after awhile, but they just got louder and more violent. Then one of the younger, more hotheaded and prejudiced Luarin nobles yelled, "Back Raka dogs! Recognize and bow to your masters!" At that, every Raka, part-Raka, and those Luarin with Raka friends who hadn't already been fighting roared with pent-up fury and attacked. Hinata slid from her horse and caught two children by the arms, pulling them into the safety of the circle.

Then, with a roll of stinking air and a flurry of steel-feathered wings, stormwings descended and lifted children from the fray, placing them on nearby rooftops, away from the crowds below. They really do like children. thought Hinata, who was busy caring for the two children she had pulled into the circle and guarding Lady Dove from ground attacks. One of the children had a broken arm (not the one she'd grabbed him by). The other had a cut across her left cheek.

Hinata pulled bandages from her horse's saddlebags, and set the broken arm, binding it tightly since she had no splints. The boy didn't even flinch; he was in deep shock from the pain. The girl buried her face in Hinata's skirt, crying for her mother. Once the boy was settled, Hinata turned to the girl, still keeping an eye on the crowd surging against the guardsmen as the only obvious target. She comforted the girl, assuring her that her mother must be okay. She looked to be about three-quarters Raka.

"Hinata!"

Hinata looked up at Neji, who tossed her one of his last two kunai. She caught it in her right hand and turned to face the crowd, telling the little girl to watch the boy. The girl, much calmer now, nodded and sat down by his side. No sooner had Hinata turned, than the guardsman protecting their side was brought down. The gap was quickly closed by the other guardsmen, but a few of the crazed townspeople got inside the ring.

One charged at Hinata, who parried his belt-knife's blow and used her jyuuken to strike him so that he passed out. Without even activating her byakugan, she turned to dispose of his fellow antagonist, only to see him felled by a blow from Duke Nomru's sword. She started from surprise, she'd known he had commanded the army, but she hadn't realized that he was still an active fighter. After all, he was nearly seventy years old.

"Don't worry, miss, I used the flat. These townspeople are merely overcome by the situation, this is not their true nature, and I won't kill them." Duke Nomru assured her.

"Oh! I'm glad, Duke Nomru-sama." Hinata sighed in relief.

"You're a very good fighter for a mere ladies-maid. Where did you learn such skill?"

"Our country, Neji-nii-san's and mine, was a very dangerous place… our family made sure that all of us, especially the girls, could defend ourselves… in case we got in trouble." Hinata blushed and looked down. "Though I'm not nearly so good as Neji-nii-san, Duke Nomru-sama."

"The correct term for a duke is 'Your Grace'." Duke Nomru corrected automatically, and then laughed. "But you can call me Duke Nomru if you wish."

"Oh I couldn't!" Hinata was startled.

"Oh? Why not?"

"I-It's not proper! You are a man of high standing; I couldn't leave off your honorifics…"

"Honorifics?"

"Hinata means referring to you as '-sama'." explained Lady Dove, who turned her horse carefully to face him. "She does the same for me, and you'll notice she did so for their highnesses as well. In their country, the use of such honorifics is strictly observed. To discard the honorific with anyone other than a very close friend is considered a vast insult. They even use honorifics for relatives; you noticed that she said '–nii-san' for Neji. I've gathered that it means 'elder brother' or some such. Isn't that right, Hinata?"

"Y-yes, Lady Dove-sama, it is…"

"Duke Nomru-sama, look out!" Neji leaped from his horse to Duke Nomru's, catching the last arrow from the snipers' depleted quivers. He immediately drew shuriken from his holster and flung them at the retreating backs of the few archers who remained alive, killing them. At that moment, reinforcements arrived, in the form of another twoscore soldiers, mounted and unmounted, who acted as crowd control, knocking down the more violent civilians, separating fighters, and creating a path out for the nobles and their guardsmen.

Hinata was torn between the children and her Lady, when Neji, who had returned to his horse, rode up and scooped the boy up into the saddle in front of him. Hinata quickly lifted the girl into her saddle and then mounted herself, managing not to wobble. They followed the rest of the group, riding on either side of Lady Dove. When they had finally escaped, there were many sighs of relief. Neji made a quick head count, and realized that everyone was well. A few guards had fallen, but they had been knocked out, not killed. Their comrades had laid them across their horses' backs and led the horses behind their own.

Taybur rode up beside Neji with Dunevon still in front of him. The child king's eyes were wide, but he wasn't shaking with fear; instead, he was staring at Neji with something akin to amazement. Taybur clapped Neji on the back and grinned.

"I'm glad we never had that match! I'd hate to lose my reputation to a lad as young as you. How did you get to be so good at catching arrows?"

"Back in our home country, my training partner, Tenten, was an expert in projectile weapons. We often practiced just such things for hours on end." Neji paused for a bit. "…Hinata could probably become nearly as good, if she applied herself, and weren't so timid."

"Oh? So the little mouse can fight?"

"Yes. All of us were taught to defend ourselves, and those like me, who had the personality and aptitude for it, were trained to be elite bodyguards. Hinata's training as a ladies-maid necessitated her being able to defend her mistress, as well as herself."

"I see. I give you both my compliments."

"Taybur, can I see the girl with purple eyes?" Dunevon spoke up.

"I don't know Your Majesty, why don't you ask her cousin here? His name's Neji."

Dunevon turned to Neji, eyes wide and eager. "May I see your cousin please, Neji?"

He's very polite for a child and a king. Is Taybur-san raising him as well as guarding him? "Of course, Dunevon-dono." Neji was gaining respect as well as pity for the young boy. If he'd been old enough to rule for himself, he'd have made a good king. Neji turned and called, "Hinata, His Majesty Dunevon-dono wishes to see you."

"Y-yes!" Hinata rode over to them, the girl in front of her peeking shyly at the child king. "You called, Dunevon-dono?"

"Why do you call me dono? It sounds funny."

"Oh, well where Neji-nii-san and I come from, we add –dono to a king's name to show that we like and respect him."

"Really? So you like me?" Dunevon looked happy.

"Of course I do! You are a very nice boy, Dunevon-dono. Neji-nii-san and I like you very much. I think Lady Dove-sama likes you too." Hinata was becoming more comfortable, less hesitant now. She recognized how very lonely Dunevon must be. As a king, he probably doesn't have any real friends.

Dunevon looked up at her, eyes full of joy. "Hinata, will you and Neji be my friends? Please?"

Neji spoke up, softening a bit from his normal aloof attitude. "Of course we will, Dunevon-dono. If you want, and if the regents, Taybur-san, and Lady Dove-sama agree, I could start teaching you to fight the way Hinata and I do."

"Really? Really-really?"

"Yes, really. If we get permission."

"Um… Dunevon-dono?" Hinata spoke up timidly. "If-if you want, I have a present I could give you…though of course Taybur-san can see it first…" Hinata held out Secret, who formed a head and cocked it inquisitively at Dunevon, and then at Taybur, who leaned over to look at it. "Hello, little one, and who are you?"

"Secret." piped the darking. "Who is you?"

"My name is Taybur, Secret. My job is to take care of the king."

"Taybur look after king? Who is king?"

"Me!" exclaimed Dunevon, reaching for the little blot. "I'm the king! My name is Dunevon, Secret. I'm very pleased to meet you!"

Secret rolled over onto Dunevon's palm, and the child king giggled, bouncing Secret into the air.

"Whee! Funfunfun!" cried Secret.

Taybur smiled. "I haven't seen His Majesty this happy in a long time. You both have my thanks."

"It costs nothing to be kind to children, even a child king. And you know… I think he'll make a good king someday."

When they reached House Balitang, Neji, Hinata, and Lady Dove were left behind. They entered the gates, as they mentally prepared their reports to Shikamaru.