Chapter Nine:

COOKING SKILLS

NOTE:

I DO NOT OWN NARUTO.

Osama= used by Naruto's trusted people to address him.

Kokuō Heika=used by Naruto's people to address him.

Daijō-daijin= Prime Minister (Kakashi)

Udaijin= Right Minister (Shikamaru)

Sadaijin= Left Minister (Danzo)

Proceed…

It's been a years since the tradition in choosing a Fire's Queen had been established. All the sixteen years old princesses among the neighboring countries were summoned as a candidate for the crown prince's bride to be. The Castilian is the one who manages the tasks.

The first task is to test the ability to sew clothes. When the King and Queen had their child, it is the wife's duty to prepare her infant's first cloth. This one is the first cloth that the baby will use after it was born.

The second task is to test the ability to cook. As the Queen and the King's wife, it is her duty to cook her husband his breakfast. The candidates will make their own breakfast recipe.

The third task is to test the ability of on household; cleaning, ironing, cleaning a husband's uniform and polishing her partner's walking boots and blade. It is only natural for a wife to take care his husband and their children. The King and Queen has separate chambers but on the Queen's turf, there's a chamber where she and her husband may sleep. She's in charge of this.

The fourth task is to test the ability of applying makeup or dressing to please her other half. She must have proper hygiene, she must look presentable. At this task, the Castilian will teach them a specific dance which is called the 'affection tap' which she will perform at the first night with her husband, the King. She who looks after herself, looks good, is educated and well-read, but at the same times pays attention to national traditions, habits, culture and cooking shall be up for the last task.

The fire's Queen, King's wife, will be chosen from the last task. Among the left candidates, they will face the King with barrier between them; anything that will prevent them from seeing each other. He will be the one to give the last task. After it, he will choose from one of them base on their performance.

As of now, the task has been announced earlier by Tsunade. Princess Hinata and the other Princesses were in the castle's kitchen. Each of them has different cooking stations and cooking utensils. The ingredients: vegetables, meats and seasonings were placed in the huge table at the center of the kitchen.

"You only have thirty minutes to make the breakfast you are cooking. You may have your servants to assist you," Tsunade told them. She was in her green kimono standing at the door with Sakura and Ino. "I and Sakura-chan together with Ino-chan will look around to watch what you are doing. You may ask some advice from us."

"Yes, Tsunade-sama," the Princesses bowed. They were in cooking attire with aprons on them. Their hairs were tied in a bun.

When Tsunade started the clock, the Princesses went to get ingredients for their own Menu. Princess Tayuya, who was from the land of wind had Sakon and Ukon get ingredient for her Avocado Toast with Egg. That's all she ordered to them. She's the one to cook it and she finished first. Cooking is easy for her. She's from a country with many agricultural supplies and she had experimented on them by cooking them in different ways. Tsunade was amazed by her talent. Not only she cooked swiftly but she also cooked gracefully. The Princess didn't even asked any of her help.

Princess Kagura who had her breast a bit exposed with her apron had gathered the things she need for her Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie. Tsunade noted how she always wear revealing clothes. She had Kidomaru, who has six hands to mix the ingredients. Just like Princess Tayuya, she finished just before the designated time. Sakura and Ino applauded mentally on how she designed her dish. It was beautiful, presentable indeed.

Princess Kin had her servants, Dosu and Zaku did all the work. Not because she doesn't know how to cook but because Zapped Scrambled Eggs with Veggies requires more chopping and scrambling the eggs which may dirty her clothes. Tsunade permitted her to do it. She's the third one to finish. After the Princesses finished cooking, they were directed to leave with their dish. They simply returned to the Queen's Turf main hall where they will wait to be judged.

Hinata, the fourth Princess candidate was still cooking. Shino offered his help but she simply shook her head.

"I… I really wanted t-to do it by myself…" she trailed off. She had just gathered all the ingredients she'll be needing. Ino heard what she said. It's the weird Princess again that she grew fond off.

"Why is that Hinata-hime? It will make you finish your dish in no time if he helped you," she innocently suggested. When she looked at her cooking table, she already finished three dishes. No wonder why she's the only one left.

"I-its fine, Ino-chan," she smiled and she went back cooking.

Princess Hinata manage to finish her dishes just when the thirty minutes had ended. She asked Shino if she could bring the other dishes she made since her small delicate hands can't hold all of them. Of course, her aid accepted it. He wanted nothing else but to help her Princess.

When she arrived at the main hall, the first three Princesses who were there kept throwing wicked looks at her. Each of them had tables where their dish was placed. As she was walking, her knees began to tremble. Why do they hate her so much? Did she made a mistake? Does she look disgusting? She just repeated the blue kimono whom she wore the very first day she arrived at the castle. Was it wrong? She only has three kimonos…

"Attention Princesses." Tsunade cleared her throat. "Settle down. I and my aids will come to your station to examine your dishes."

Just before Tsunade walked to Princess Tayuya, she took a glance at all the dishes. She can already see that all of them are good cooks. It may be a hard decision to pick who will go home. When she arrived at Princess Tayuya's station, her dish Avocado Toast with Egg looked interesting. She used her chopsticks to taste them but the Princess stopped her.

"Please, use the spoon."

She did what she told her. The taste of her dish is delicious. She took her pen and she scored it. Sakura did the same. Ino too. All of them gave her a perfect score.

"May I know why you picked this dish, Tayuya-hime?" Tsunade asked. Tayuya looked at her feet blushing and fidgeting. Sakura raised her eyebrows. This is a new sight.

"Sometimes, simple is just better," she answered. "I sliced two of whole-grain bread, lightly toasted, and topped with smashed avocado and a sprinkling of salt and pepper that makes a flavorful and rich base. On top of that, I placed two sunny-side-up eggs for a healthy dose of protein, and the King can have a well-rounded breakfast." She added. She was knowledgeable of foods. Tsunade nodded and told her she did a great job. After the first station, Tsunade and her aids went to the second station not noticing Princess Tayuya's grin for the other Princesses. She'll win this task. She knew it.

"What dish is this, Kagura-hime?" She asked the other Princess.

"Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie, Tsunade-sama," the princess answered. She was covering her barely exposed chest while biting her lower lip. Another fidgeting Princess. Sakura's eyebrows twitched. What is happening here?

"Ah, that tastes good." Tsunade smiled at her. "Same question Kagura-hime, why did you prepare this dish?"

"Smoothies are a perfect on-the-go snack any time of day, I'd like the King to never be hungry…" she trailed off. "I blended 1 frozen banana, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, 1 cup almond milk, and a few ice cubes. If this is a morning snack, it must be kept in a tight-sealing. For an afternoon boost, prep it the night before and freeze, remove in the morning, and it will be thawed and ready to enjoy after lunch. I also added a scoop of chocolate and vanilla protein for an extra protein boost." Tsunade's smiled widen. Another Princess who not only cook for the taste but also for the energy it gives. She noted it as she give her a score.

"How about you, Kin-hime?" the Castilian asked as she approached her. "What is your dish?"

"Zapped Scrambled Eggs with Veggies, Tsunade-sama." She bowed simply rubbing her scarf. Her eyes were blinking rapidly as she show how she nervous. The Princesses who were cruel were now acting giggly. Sakura bit her tongue so that she can't say what she was thinking. Did those Princesses bumped their heads or something?

"It is not sweet but it's delicious," Tsunade complimented after taking a bite. Sakura and Ino tasted her dish too.

"I wanted to make really good scrambled eggs that is warm… just like how warm my love for the King is," She answered hiding her blush under her scarf. What? Sakura mentally cursed. Is the world ending?

"I see," Tsunade answered. "Well, how about you Hinata-hime?"

"Y-yes!" Hinata answered while the Castilian and the others were approaching her. "I- I made Fruit and Yogurt Parfait, Breakfast Burrito, Healthy Morning Glory Muffins, and Fried Rice.."

"You made four dishes, why is that?" she asked taking a bite.

"Lads eat l-lot of foods… they need a lot o-of them… I was thinking t-that the King has busy schedule a-and he… he n-need a lot of e-energy." She was rubbing her hands together. Ah, the original. Sakura thought. Ino was surprised that all of her dishes do not only tastes good but they were also designed with sweet words and heart shapes. Either way, Ino didn't regret saying she shouldn't be the Queen.

"Do your best eh?" Tsunade grinned after she read what was written on the fried rice. Hinata bowed her head hiding her blush. After she tasted her dishes, she wrote down her score and went to the middle facing the Princesses. "It was a hard decision. All of the dishes taste delicious. Princesses, return to your chambers and I'll call you when I have reach my decision."

"Yes, Tsunade-sama," The Princesses said in unison. They bowed and left the hall.

"Sakura-chan, Ino-chan, who will go home?" Tsunade asked her aids.

"I suggest Hinata-hime." Ino answered her.

Author's Note:

I am so sorry that I didn't update this story these past days. I am sick. *Insert curse here* I am typing this while coughing. Ugh. I hope I didn't messed up. *insert another curse here* AND I can't have free access of the internet. *sneezes* it must be my unlucky day (month). *insert short curse here* I think I'm gonna die. Just kidding though. xD

BTW, I was reading a story. It's cute. But then the author said she/he won't upload the next chapter if she didn't received twelve reviews on each chapter she/he had uploaded. The reason is, she/he lives for reviews. (she/he said that) And I was like… ughh. Well, I do like reviews but I'm not cruel like that. xD So I'm not requiring you to leave one but if you do… *curse* you are making me fired up making the next chapter. xDD

Thank you for the support. Bear with me for the SLOW PROGRESS of this story. Don't worry, they'll meet soon. (King Naruto and Princess Hinata.)