Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the throne room
Not a creature was stirring, but all that would change soon.
The traps were all set by Karai with great care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The Foot ninja were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of tantos danced in their heads.
And Stockman in his brain-jar, and Hun with his braid,
Had just started plotting for the coppers' next raid.
When out in the throne room there arose such a clatter,
Karai sprang from her bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the shoji she flew like a flash,
Opened the doors, which for a ninja is rash.
The moon shone brightly with a shimmering glow
But Karai still couldn't see into the throne room below.
When, what to her wondering eyes should appear,
But an armor-clad Saki and she trembled in fear.
He had a glare and a sneer, that could make you feel sick
Karai ducked her head and hoped death would be quick.
More rapid than shurikens thrown with great aim,
He growled, and shouted, and called her by name!
"Karai you fool! What treachery is this?!
This trap that you've laid, I cannot dismiss!
What were you thinking pinning ME to the wall?
If you don't answer quickly then this night you fall!"
As dry leaves that before the wild nunchaku fly,
When they meet with a katana, mount to the sky.
So up to her father the young kunoichi flew,
Hoping to explain and untangle him too.
"I just wanted to catch the man they call Claus"
She continued her story hardly daring to pause.
"They say that his stealth is one you can't match
That is the man that I meant to catch"
The Shredder dressed in metal, from his head to his feet,
Was finally untangled; it was a tough trap to beat.
To get a grip on his anger he then turned his back,
Before he lost it and gave her a smack.
Karai's trap was thorough! It worked like a charm!
It wrapped him up tightly, and it twisted his arm!
His tight-lipped mouth quirked up at the corner,
The trap was quite good, he couldn't well scorn her.
Schooling his features back into a frown,
He turned to the girl who kept her head down.
He stood there a moment as she cowered in fear,
But then he surprised her and said "Well my dear…"
"Your actions though foolish were ninja at heart
To capture an enemy then take him apart!
I know you are five and must learn a great deal,
But the first thing to learn is Santa's not real!"
Karai's eyes widened, her mouth open in shock,
But what about demons that tended to flock?
She knew those existed, of that she was certain,
They were embroidered on all of their curtains!
"But what about Kappas!" she earnestly cried.
"They're like turtles who talk and walk with great strides!"
Saki sighed and turned to his daughter's eager sight.
"Giant talking turtles? Don't be a fool. Goodnight!"