Forbidden Fables (NarutoxDisney)

Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. All the characters, names and places belong to their respective owners.


=[Cinderella]=
2

"Naruto. A new day has arrives," a voice whispered softly. "Don't you want to see the beautiful sunrise while listening to the melody sung by morning birds?"

It was the voice that Naruto had come to familiar with in these past years. Had it been a couple of years already? To him, it did not feel like so. His body remained unchanged, seemingly frozen in time while his mind matured as it would. In contrast, the blond-haired girl with sky blue eyes he had befriended grew as surely as the garden rose bloomed in the days and months that passed.

"In another hour, mum," Naruto murmured sarcastically while rolling his body onto its side and away from the girl. He simply wasn't a morning person, preferring the warm comfort that his small wooden bed could provide, and the cold draft that reign the damped attic every single morning – including the those of summers – did not persuade him otherwise.

On the other hand, Ella was up and about before even the sun begun its ascension into its rightful place upon the heaven. Watching the first golden ray radiating upon the garden while it glimmered through the icy particles in the air with her little friends – the rodents – was one of the more magical moments she'd created for herself. Magic could be found anywhere and everywhere. That what she believed, and to her, each day was an exciting adventure, filled with boundless hope and dream.

"If don't wake up soon, Jaq and Gus will not leave you any," Ella warned in a teasing manner. Jaq and Gus were the names she gave to the rodents. She would name every little creature, big and small, that lived in the house that her late mother and father had once did. Animals were her friends, possibly her only friends until Naruto dropped into her life one faithful day.

"What!? They dare?" Naruto jerked himself upwards and snapped his neck towards the small wooden table he'd crafted with the materials that were found in the attic; just like every single piece of furniture he currently owned.

The block of cheese, which was placed there by Ella just a moment ago, remained untouched while the trio of rodents stood to one side near the miniature cabinet. The mice seemed to take a liking to Naruto for whatever reason, and they always waited patiently for him to take the first bite and shared out the ration afterward.

Why did he find cheese incredibly tasty? He didn't know, but he and his clones gorged themselves on the stuff until Ella had to stop them lest they became too bloated to move.

Naruto narrowed his deep blue eyes at mice before slowly dropping back onto his handcrafted bed and pulled the warm purple blanket over his body once more. The blanket was sewed by the blond-haired girl, who was giggling while towering over him. The same could be said with every new piece of clothing he kept in his makeshift wooden cabinet.

Naruto had made a note to learn the power of textile arts one day just like he did with carpentry. The experience and knowledge accumulated by his clones were transferable, and with thousands of them working in tantrum on a single task, he would advance from apprentice to journeymen to master in any form of art in the matter of hours; minutes even.

Why didn't Jiraiya pointed out for him before? Surely the perverted sage knew about how broken Kage Bunshin was. Two and half years training under Ero-sennin could easily have been strength to thousands of years. It was a missed opportunity, and to prevent anymore wasted time, Naruto had spent the better part of the two years in this unfamiliar place mastering every single ninjutsu technique he knew the basic in.

Furthermore, Naruto was firmly confident in his new founded mastery in Taijutsu. When considering fighting massive amount of equal level opponents – his endless army of shadow clones – every single day, his skills had no choice but to skyrocket. The knowledge of how to open his inner gates still eluded him, however.

With several more playful nudges on his backside by a gigantic fingertip, Naruto groaned and decided to get up to embrace the coming of a new day. He scratched the side of his head and brushed his golden hair back while hazily approached the cabinet after leaving the bed. He ransacked through the colorful robe and cloak Ella had sewed for him since his original orange attire had worn out months ago.

Giving a prolonged yawn, Naruto cocked up at the girl with ashen remains caked in her blond hair. She must have been sleeping by the opening in the chimney that connected to the fireplace down stair for heat and warm. "Do you mind?"

"Oh, how silly of me," Ella responded apolitically, feeling flustered at her neglectfulness. He was a boy and she was girl after all. She turned around so her friend could have some privacy, but in doing so, a lock of blond hair swung across the air, dosing his living quarter with fine dust.

Naruto sneezed and shook his entire body to clear the ashen particles away. "Great. Now I need a shower. Thanks a lot, Cinder-chan."

"Please forgive me, Naruto. I didn't mean it," Cinder-chan – Ella – said as she turned around. A sincere expression was shown on her face, but Naruto simply pointed behind her as an unspoken request. She slowly turned away from him once more.

"Can you please stop calling me that, Naruto?" Ella asked softly a moment later. Cinder-chan was a nickname he gave her when she tried to create an opening in the chimney in the attic. It was to create a good source of heat since neither her step mother nor sisters would provide her with warmer blankets for the coming cold season. In her attempt, the ashen remains erupted outward the gap, bathing her in the stuff while he laughed quiet loudly.

"Hmmm… Okay, how about Cindy then?" Naruto asked while removing his shirt. He then folded it neatly and placed it one side for dusting and cleaning later. He then approached a small circular wooden tub by the cabinet's side. Standing before it, he did several hand seals in rapid succession before placing his palm above the tub. The water that filled the tub was so clear that even the royal palace would not have access to so readily. With another hand seals, the water was heated to a comfortable temperature.

"My name is Ella, please use it, Naruto," Ella requested humbly as she tilted her head slightly to the side when she heard a splashing sound. The things the little ninja could do seemed strange as well as magical to her. He'd once said that everyone in his world could do it with proper training and practice. The place he came from must have been quiet wonderful.

"Cinder… Ella… oh I know, how about Cinderella then?" Naruto compromised with amusement as he submerged himself under the liquid, soaking his hair entirely, removing any traces of dust and dirt, returning it into its natural golden color.

The nickname Cinderella didn't fare any better than simply just Cinder-chan, but Ella knew Naruto meant no disrespect. He gave everyone strange and odd name from the cat, Lucifer, to her stepmother, Lady Tremaine and stepsisters, Drisella and Anastasia. Even the mailman had a bizarre nickname. Still, she wanted to be called as Ella since it was the name her mother had given her. After a brief moment of contemplation, Ella pursed her lips and accepted that arguing with the boy would earn her another nickname.

When she heard some splashing and squeaking from behind her, she tilted her head slightly to the side in order to capture the small blond along with the mice in the corner of her eyes. The mice were all being squeezed into the small tub together by several naked clones. Well, they weren't entirely naked as a cloth wrapped around their waist.

"You guys need a bath too! Stay still or I will knock you out!" Naruto ordered. The mice quickly accepted the command. Once they had been cleaned sufficiently, they began spraying water at each other, which Naruto joined in. The playful nature everyone displayed brought a smile onto Ella's face. She wanted to join them.

"You know, Cinderella," Naruto said while leaning back against one of the soaked mouse and using it as some sort of cushion. A grin was plastered on his face. "I thought I was the only one who does all the peeping around here."

"I wasn't peeping," Ella responded hastily and straightened her head once again. How long had she been staring, and what exactly did he mean by peeing? Surely he wouldn't do something like that. "I was only curious what you were doing, that's all."

"Right, sure you were," Naruto jested with a grin and leaned forward so his muscular chest was pressed against the side of the tub. "Hmmm… How about you join me? You look like you needed one yourself."

Hearing that, Ella instinctively entangled her fingers into her dirty blond hair. "You wan –

"Hah! I was just kidding," Naruto interjected with a forced chuckle. He dropped backward against the furry cushion. "As if you could fit in here, Cinderella. I might get squash!"

"I wouldn't do that!" Ella pouted as her face flushed in a deep shade of red. Was it embarrassment or other strange emotional stimulation? It was likely the mixture of both.

"Heh… well, even if you couldn't join me, you can watch as much as you like, Cinderella. I won't say a thing," Naruto promised teasingly.

"I… need to prepare morning meal for stepmother," Ella swiftly said and hastily left from her current position while Naruto watched on from his bathtub. It was way too early for that as the sun hadn't risen yet, but he didn't say anything.

– Cinderella –

Ella realized that it was too early the moment she entered the dark kitchen. Any meal would be cold by the time her stepmother was seated at the table and likely be rotten by the time her stepsisters were awake enough.

With nothing else to do, she strolled around the kitchen, rubbing her finger against the table, feeling the cleanliness of it all. The amount of work she was forced to do had increased each passing day, but even so, the amount of work she had done each day did not change. The miniature shinobi had done most of the chores for her with his ever increasing numbers of clones. She had sworn there must have been at least several thousands of them roaming around the house – inside and outside – keeping everything neat, tidy, and spotless when no one was looking.

Ella picked up a novel she used to read as a child and seated at the table. She was about to reread it by candlelight, but was interrupted by Lucifer. The cat entered the kitchen by pushing open the door from the other side. There were several passengers mounting it.

"Ah, Cinder-chan," Naruto said.

"Cinder-chan?" Ella asked absentmindedly. "Isn't it Cinderella now?"

The shadow clone stared up at her before cocking his head towards to his comrade. "Hey! Did boss give her a new nickname?" He asked in a low tone of voice.

"Huh? Why are you asking me? I was with you the whole time," was the response.

"Oh right," Naruto responded with a mental kick. "My mind is getting a bit hazy. I think I need to dispel soon." He turned his attention back to Cinderella. "Do you need something, Cinderella?"

"No… everything is wonderful, Naruto," Ella replied.

"Are you sure?" Naruto asked, and after a brief examination of the girl, he continued. "You could use a bath. Do you want us to prepare you one?"

I thought I was the only one who does all the peeing around here, was the words that passed through her mind when he asked. Come to think of it. It had been a year since Naruto took it upon himself to prepare her bath. She refused at first, but gave in since the water he magically created was far cleaner than any water she had ever seen.

"No!" Ella shouted with a blush. The book was slammed against the table while her chest was heaving rapidly.

"Eh?" Naruto questioned and eyed his duplicate by the side. "Is she sick?"

The clone sighed and said: "Why are you asking me?"

– Cinderella –

"Mother, have you heard!?" Anastasia called out at the dinner table. The young girl was in a high and excited spirit ever since she returned from the nearby town. Like Ella, Anastasia was a romantic at heart, yearning for that one true love, wherever he may be. Sadly, her mother and sister's negative influence and scheming dictated her behavior greatly. "I was invited to the king's festival. It's going to be three days long!"

"Dear sister, where have you been? The news is quite old," Drisella gave a snaky remark. It was only a day old, but still, it was old news considering that the upcoming king's festival was the most prestige event in the entire kingdom. Rumors had already circulated throughout the realm that the prince – who had become of age and would succeed his dying father soon – would have to find a suitable bride, thus all eligible maidens were encouraged to attend. That could mean only one thing.

"Everyone is invited, not just you," Drisella added with a hint of mockery. Thus, Anastasia pouted as her spirit sank. Her mother, Lady Tremaine encouraged her, but did not tell Drisella off.

Ella overheard the conversation as she placed down plates along the table. "Everyone is invited… is that also including me?" She asked with hope in her tone. She wanted to see the prince as he was said to be the most charming man in the entire kingdom. They actually called him Prince Charming.

Lady Tremaine looked at the girl in amusement. "You, Ella?" She examined at the ashen remains that were still visible the girl's blond hair. It was impossible to remove all of it considering Ella had spent most of her days in the kitchen, using a rundown stove to cook. "Please, you would only embarrass yourself with your appearance and mannerism. Do clean yourself before you make such a request."

Hearing the comment by her mother, Drisella smirked and looked at her plate. "There's cinder on my plate," she called out. There wasn't. She glanced around the room and pointed at Ella. "There're cinders everywhere. Maybe you should be called Cinder, Ella."

"Cinderella?" Ella misheard the words. She had already got used to the demeaning name since Naruto had been calling her that for a last few days. It didn't hurt more than it should.

"Are you trying to poison me!?" Drisella snapped loudly.

Ella was about to apologize even though she had taken great care in preparing each meal as if it was for a King. In truth, if she wanted to, she could have poisoned all of them long ago. It wouldn't take much effort and no one would be the wiser. In fact, Naruto had suggested something like that when he saw how badly she was treated by those that she so called her family.

"You wouldn't die from something like that, Drisella," Anastasia interjected. It was logical since they had been breathing in the stuff ever since the fireplace was running at full blast to keep the cold at bay. If ash was truly poisonous, they would have all died long ago.

Drisella glared at her sister, Anastasia, before sending the same glare at Ella. Her hand jerked to the side and flicked the plate off the table. The expensive china shattered against the polished floor, scrapping the wood and sending editable food across the ground. "Oh… how clumsy of me."

"Could be a dear and clean that up, Ella?" Lady Tremaine requested. A smile was formed by her lips. "Or should I start calling you Cinderella from now on?"

"It's –

"Drisella and Anastasia, you must prepare yourself for the festivals. Come, I will fit you with the finest dresses we can afford. You don't want to disappoint the prince, now would you?" Lady Tremaine interrupted, thus cutting off whatever Ella was going say. The girl's opinions were was no concern to her. She got up from her seat and left with her two daughters, leaving Ella to clean up the mess.

"That bitch. Why can't I kill her again?" Naruto asked once he dropped off the ceiling. When Ella didn't tell him off like she usually had done previously, he cocked his head up to see her teary face. "… Are you alright, Ella?"

"I'm okay, Naruto," Ella answered. She used the back of her hand to clear the tears away. Anastasia had changed slowly over the years, but Drisella and stepmother became even crueler, seeing her nothing more than a slave. "You used my name?"

"Yeah, I thought you might not like to be called… Cinderella," Naruto responded with a hint of guilt and remorse.

"I don't mind," Ella said with a shake of her head. "It's just a name."

"Then why are you sad…?" Naruto asked. "Do you want to go to the festival with everyone one?"

"Yes. I would love to, but stepmother is right. I would only embarrass myself and others," Ella said with a weak smile. "I have neither the clothes nor shoes. I don't even know how to dance."

"Those things could be fixed easily," Naruto said softly with a smile. He did a rapid hand seals, creating dozens of shadow clones to help with the mess while he left the kitchen to have a detail read at some of the scattered books in the attic.

– Cinderella –

"Why do we need to learn how to dance?" One of the clones questioned as he held hands with another clones. They both danced swirled around each other along with hundreds of other pairings. Each one of them was grumping at the gayest thing they were forced to do by their boss.

"Urge to kill rising," a few of them mumbled.

"Shut up and practice!" Naruto shouted the order before focusing his attention on another group of clones. "What about you guys?"

"Well… we skewered a few dozens of us trying to stick stuff together with a thread and needle," the clone foreman said while rubbing his stomach along with Naruto instinctively. It was where the needle ran right through them. The phantom pain was still there. "It's just too damn hard and we're running out of fabric to practice, boss. Can we go steal some from the Drillbitch?"

Naruto sighed. No, the last time he did that, Drisella had blamed Ella for it. He looked at the fabrication team. They were using chakra to create various substances that could be useful. One of them comes up with an exceeding strong and fine thread, but it was so fine that it would cut through the skin with ease.

"Boss, we running low on chakra," one of clones said when running up to him.

"Chakra," Naruto mumbled. He was running low as well. Making thousands upon thousands of clones would do that to him. He needed to return back into the house and rest for the night, but the festival was in a couple of days. He had to use all the time he had.

"I can give you some, brat," the voice in his head offered.

"Shut up, fur ball. I'm not letting you out," Naruto retorted in annoyance. For months now, the fox tried to offer him powers and knowledge in exchange for its freedom. He was smart enough to realize that if the Bijuu somehow got out, it would be incredibly bad for everyone.

"Oh come now," Kurama mused. "I only wanted to see a joyous smile on her beautiful face."

"Bullshit. If you touch her, I'm going to –" Naruto threatened before his body swelled in chakra. "…?"

"No string attached," Kurama said.

"What's the deal? You would never lend me your powers unless you wanted something in return."

"Oh, you will find out eventually," Kurama said before its laughter was echoed loudly in the blond's mindscape.

"Damn creepy fox," Naruto murmured and shivered slightly. He didn't like what the fox had in mind, but he didn't want to deal with it right now. With a rapid hand seals, Naruto created thousands more clones with chakra he was granted. They immediately got to work on various projects Naruto was doing.

"Where did the shoes team go?" Naruto asked once he realized a group of clones was missing.

– Cinderella –

"Hey, Cinderalla. A new day has arrives," Naruto whispered softly into her ear. "Don't you want to go to prepare the festivals?"

"Naruto…?" Ella mumbled in her sleep. It was hours before the sun would rise. She had never seen him wake up this early unless he didn't sleep at all last night like the clones that guarded the house. Slowly, she opened her sky blue eyes and was greeted with a pair of deep blue eyes. She shrieked in both shock and fright as the whiskered face leaned over her.

On reflex, Ella jerked backward from him. "Naruto!? You're big…? I mean you're huge… I mean you're –

"You mean I'm full size?" Naruto asked as he straightened his posture. His clothing was not the same one he usually wore. It was exquisitely made. So many intricate patterns with stiches so fine that one would think they were sewed into the expensive fabric by tiny hands. "Well yeah, I needed to be in order to teach you how to dance."

Ella took a moment to find her voice. "How to dance…?"

"Yes," Naruto said. His mind recalled some of the custom he had read just a few days ago. "May I have this dance, my Lady?"

"Woah, boss, slow down! You forgot about her dress," one of the clones reminded him while standing on one of his shoulders. The clone then lowered its tone. "You didn't let us change her when she was asleep so she has to put it on herself."

"Oh right," Naruto admitted his hastiness. He couldn't maintain the transformation forever as the size was proportional to the amount of chakra he had to expend each second.

Naruto moved to the side to reveal behind him the most beautiful dress anyone had ever seen floated behind him by a hanger. The glimmering intricate patterns that seemed to sew into the sky blue silk with threads that were probably made of diamonds, glittering in the moonlight made Ella lost for words.

"I must be dreaming," Ella mumbled.

– To be continued –


This isn't a rehash story since that would be boring, and frankly, I don't do rehash story. Why would you want to read something that had been done before? I sure the hell wouldn't.