Naruto was getting ready to sleep when someone knocked on his door. "Yes?"
"Son," Rei said, poking his head inside. "I wanted to thank you for not fighting with your mother." Naruto smiled and nodded but didn't say anything. "I also wanted to ask you to tuck your sister in. She won't stop about you."
"Okay, tou-san." Getting back up, he left his room and entered Carol's. "Alright little bite, what's wrong?"
"I don't want to go to sleep. What if this is a dream and you're still gone?"
Naruto smiled and pulled her blankets up under her chin. "I swear it isn't, Carol. If it is, when you see me, you can bop me on the nose. A very serious bop for a very serious nose. Okay?"
She nodded so he started to get up but she grabbed his shirt before he could. "Big brother…could you tell me a story please?"
"A story? …Oh very well. I got one, it has everything. A dashing young hero, three princesses that need saving, monsters, and a mystery. Interested?"
"I am! What's it called?"
"The Worn out Dancing Shoes," Naruto told her, leaning down to whisper it.
"Ooh…why's it named that?"
"Well if you listen, you will find out. Ahem. In a kingdom far, far away, the king had three beautiful daughters."
"What were their names?"
Naruto blinked at that and said, "They are King Rei, Princess Din, Princess Carol, and Princess Konan."
"I'm named after a princess," Carol asked excitedly.
"Not quite but close. On the night of the birthday of the youngest princess, Konan, all three sisters went to sleep with new dancing shoes at the foot of their beds. But the next morning, the shoes of the oldest was completely worn out and ruined. When King Rei asked her about it, Din yawned and said she didn't know. That day, Princess Din could barely stay awake, very unsightly for a princess to be falling asleep in her dinner." Carol giggled at that. "That evening, when the princesses when to sleep, Princess Din had a new pair of dancing Shoes. And in the morning, they were ruined. Neither Princess Carol or Konan knew why so on the seventh night, they pretended to sleep and wait. A half hour later, Princess Din got up from her bed, put on a beautiful dancing dress and her dancing shoes. When the two suddenly sat up. 'Sister, where are you going,' they demanded."
"So, Princess Din confessed. She had been sneaking out of their room through a magic door that only opened at night. Not wanting to be left out, Carol and Konan got dressed, moved the rug from between their beds, and Din tapped the floor three times for a trap door to appear. Opening it, all three went down a flight of stairs and did not come back up until almost dawn. The next morning the king was very upset to find all three pairs of shoes ruined and his daughters exhausted. So that night he locked them in their room. Still it didn't work. So instead he posted a guard outside their room. The Princesses were afraid that this would keep them from dancing but Din had an idea. She went, got some wine, and put some sleep root inside it before giving it to the guard. He fell asleep and they went dancing. The King was so mad that he threw him in the dungeon."
"What happened," Carol asked, her eyes as wide as they could go.
"Well, the King sent his messenger out to ask for any that would find out why and how this was happening. If they did, they could marry a princess of their choice but if they failed they would be thrown in the dungeon. Many people tried to find out why the shoes were being worn out from noble to cobbler but none of them succeeded. The King nearly gave up hope. That is until our hero arrived."
"Who is he?"
"Who? …Might as well. He was Naruto." Carol looked very excited that she was going to be saved by her big brother.
—oo000oo—
Naruto, dressed to look a bit like a scoundrel with a wide brim hat on his head, was walking into a castle town. It was as busy as any town would be, a bit more so with the castle right above it, and everyone was bustling around. Feeling his coin purse was getting a little low, he went to the square where job postings were kept. "Hope I can find something that calls for my sword arm," Naruto muttered.
"Heh, that stick," an older man said, sitting in a chair by the post.
"Don't underestimate it, Cutter is magical," Naruto told him with a smirk.
"Sure, sure, whatever you say stranger. If you're looking for work, don't take the job at the castle."
"Why?"
"King Rei throws everyone that fails in the dungeons and everyone has failed."
"Ooh. That's harsh. Well, let's see what else there is…" A woman went charging through the village on a horse being chased by two men on horseback as well. Naruto looked after her and paused. "Always was a sucker for a damsel in distress." As a third man came charging through, Naruto ran on a barrel, a cart, and jumped on him, knocking him from his horse. "Sorry!" He went chasing after the two and the woman.
"Wait, stranger, it's not what you think," the old man called, trying to stop him.
Heading out into the countryside, Naruto could see the woman going around a barn so Naruto turned to cut them off. Just as they were about to pass by it, Naruto jumped from his horse and tackled them to the ground, causing the woman to turn and look at them. "What do you think you are doing," she demanded. She was a pretty woren with purple fur and long, bright blond hair and fiery eyes.
"Hello miss," Naruto said, standing on one and holding Cutter to the throat of the other. "I am Naruto and I was just stopping these brigands from chasing you."
"Get off," the one Naruto was standing on shouted.
"Brigands," the woman asked before laughing.
"Uh…I get the feeling I just made a fool of myself."
"Yes, you did," the woman told him, walking the horse closer. "I am Princess Konan, daughter of King Rei, the ruler of this kingdom and those 'brigands' you are standing on are my escort for a ride through the countryside on this fine day."
"…You know, I thought they were dressed rather nicely for bandits." Naruto stepped off him and sheathed his blade as he chuckled nervously. "I don't suppose sorry will work?"
"I'm going to kill you, you little brat," one of the men-at-arms said as he pulled his sword.
"Stop captain," Konan ordered. "As what this man did was out of the welfare of another, you can't punish him for that."
"Yes, princess," he said begrudgingly.
"That being said, he did insult you, attack you and your men, and steal a horse from the looks of it. Fist should suffice."
"Thank you Princess," the captain and his soldier said while popping their knucles.
"…So, after this we are fine then," Naruto asked hopefully.
"Yes, Naruto, it will be forgiven," Konan told him.
"Very well then, shall we?" The Captain came in swinging only for Naruto to catch his arm and flip him on his back. "Anytime you're ready."
"Lucky shot," the captain said, getting up with a glare at the scoundrel. Naruto could only smirk. "Get him!" The two rushed him and when it ended, Naruto was sitting on them both, still smirking.
"Satisfied," he asked Princess Konan, who could just stare slackjawed.
"…Nya, hold it, Naruto, when did you get so tough!"
Naruto sighed and dropped his head in his hands. "Konan, you're breaking character! Remember, you're the princess, I'm the skillful scoundrel, we've never met, and besides, you don't think I spent all that time in the Underdark doing nothing, do you?"
"…I didn't expect you coming back like this!"
"Okay, okay, now that we got that out of the way," the Captain reminded them before dropping his head down to the ground.
"Right," the two of them said before getting back in character.
"Ahem, I'm impressed. Naruto, was it?"
"Yes, Princess, it was," Naruto said, taking his hat off and bowing. "But…I don't think these men shall be continuing as your escort. So, I guess I shall do it until they awaken and…" A small army came charging over the hill, around the barn, and surrounded Naruto, lances, spears, and swords pointed at him. "Hey now, no need to point those pig-stickers at me." Naruto said as he touched the tip of the closest and pushed it away.
"You," a Major said, pushing his spear back in Naruto's face. "For attempted kidnapping of the princess, you are to be executed!"
"Now now," Naruto tried to say, a hand easing back to Cutter. "Can't we all just get along? Princess, please! You said it was alright!"
"Stop Major, this is a misunderstanding is all," Konan said, staying his hand. "He believed I was being chased by the Captain and his men."
"Yes, yes, what the Princess said," Naruto encouraged.
"Milady, he is armed and sitting on two of our beaten men! If not for the man he attacked and stole the horse from, we wouldn't even have known you were endangered!"
"Major! I have given my order! I will not repeat myself, lower your weapons!"
"…Yes, Princess. Do as the Princess says! As for you," he said, glaring at the innocent looking Naruto, "a nobody can't defeat three of the King's men on a whim. Who are you?"
"Me? I'm Nobody," he told them with his best grin. That spear was put back in his face. "Uh…Uzumaki Naruto?"
"Where are you from, Uzumaki Naruto?"
"Oh you know, here, there, this place, that place, up, up, down, down, left, right, left right, just about everywhere."
"You will answer him," a female knight growled at him, drawing Naruto's lingering gaze.
"Eyes forward," the Major said, hitting him on the head.
"Just inspecting the troops, Major," Naruto defended himself. "I'm just a traveler, trying to see as much of the world as I can before the end of my days."
"…Just a traveler? I don't believe it," Konan said to him. "You took those men down far too well to be 'just a traveler'. Major, I shall continue my ride. And while I don't care too much what happens to him, he is not to be punished for his actions here. Am I understood?"
"Yes, Princess. Lieutenant, take two men and follow the Princess."
"Aye aye, sir," the Lieutenant said before riding after Konan.
With the Princess gone, Naruto was alone with the glaring Major and all his angry men. "Now, why are you here," the Major demanded.
"Just passing through, Major, that's all. So…you mind lowering all those weapons? I'm starting to feel endangered for my life."
"…Lower them. Naruto, finish your business and leave."
Naruto saluted him and said, "Yes, sir, Major sir. I was just about to go get a job and then leave."
"Job? In that case, I know just what to do with you. Get back on that horse, we are going to the castle."
"…Why do I want to say uh oh," Naruto muttered.
—oo000oo—
King Rei sat on his throne, appraising Naruto with a critical eye. "You think he can, Major?"
"He single handedly bested several of our troops, sir. It should be child's play to handle the three Princesses."
"One would think," Rei replied. "Yet are not the dungeon full of fools that could not?"
"Well, your majesty, if you feel I can't then I just shall carry on my merry little way," Naruto said with a charming grin.
"I said any can try so you can try. Know if you fail after you agree to do it, I will throw you in the dungeon. And if there isn't room for you in there, I shall send you to the gallows."
"Uh…I hear dungeons are quite lovely this time of year," Naruto passed off. "I'm sure if you don't have room I could find it."
"Indeed. You have already met my youngest daughter. Major, have one of your men escort him to meet Carol and Din."
"Of course, your majesty. Private, take him to the Princesses."
"Right away, sir. Follow me."
Naruto was led down a hall to the library and taken in. "Princesses, this is the man that will be guarding you tonight."
The eldest, a young woman with long red hair and a pair of white heron like wings from her back, looked to him and sighed. "Another idiot for the dungeon. Don't you agree, Carol?"
Naruto looked from Princess Din to Princess Carol as she… "Big brother!" Carol jumped on Naruto in a hug. "Don't I look pretty like a princess?"
Naruto hugged her back before setting her down, "Like a princess Carol. And don't you have a line to say?"
She held her arms in front of her chest with a determined look on her face. "Right! Ahem. Too bad, he's a handsome one too." She leaned in and whispered, "How'd I do?"
"Perfect," Naruto said with a grin. "That hurts, ladies, you don't even know me."
Din shrugged and said, "Met one idiot, met them all."
"Now that's just wrong," Naruto told her, holding his chest like it was wounded.
"I see no error in calling an idiot an idiot," Carol told him with a scowl. Before tearing up, jumping on him and saying, "I'm sorry big brother! You're not an idiot!"
"Carol," everyone said a bit distressingly.
"I know you don't mean it Carol but we all have our part. You're the middle princess."
"Why exactly is that," Din asked. "Isn't Konan the oldest of us?"
"I don't know, that's just what the script says," Naruto said before taking his script out from behind his belt. "See? Princess Konan, youngest princess. Now, ready?"
Carol looked up to him tearfully. "But I don't want to say those mean things about you, Big Brother."
"Don't worry, Carol-chan, it's just for pretend. Do your best, okay?"
"…Okay. Ahem. Idiot!" She blinked the tears away and tried to look her best.
"I am hurt by your scathing words," Naruto said, pulling off his hat and holding it over his heart.
"You'll fail like the rest," Din told him before turning back to a book she was reading. "You may take him away, private."
"Until this evening, ladies," Naruto called behind him as he was pushed out.
—oo000oo—
That evening the three princesses went to their rooms to find Naruto sitting in a chair outside the door. "Good evening, ladies, I trust you all enjoyed your day?"
"So, the idiot stayed," Din said flatly.
"Of course, that is why he is an idiot," Carol told her.
"I don't know," Konan said, smiling at him. "I met him earlier today. Even if he might be an idiot, he is a good one."
"I am deeply wounded by your name-calling of me yet reassured by your opinion of me, Princess," Naruto told them. "Off with you now to bed." He motioned to the door while taking crossing one leg over the knee of the other, taking a dagger from the boot, and cleaning his nails with it. Just as Carol was pulling the door closed, Naruto shifted his foot to block it open. "Sorry ladies, this stays open tonight."
"Do you expect us to change into our nightgowns with the door open," Din demanded.
"If that is what is needed to make sure you go into those beds and stay there then yes." Naruto stared right back at the glare Din threw at him. "…But of course, I might be willing to do otherwise," he said with a wide smile. "Princesses, would one of you be willing to spend a few minutes longer with me? You stay with me while the door is closed and your sisters may get changed then they will trade places."
Din stared at him a moment before pulling her sisters deeper into the room. "Okay, so he isn't as much of an idiot as I thought."
"Tried to tell you," Konan said a bit happily.
"But we have to hurry," Carol insisted. "Our princes are waiting!"
"We'll make it, Konan, you go out there and offer him some of our wine with the sleeping drought in it. That will put him to sleep just like all the others."
Konan looked to the door and sighed. She kind of liked him too. "Very well." Going over to the pitcher, she poured a glass and took it out to him. "Good evening, Naruto."
"Good evening, Konan. Thirsty?"
"No, this is for you."
Naruto arched an eyebrow and sheathed the dagger before standing. "Me?"
"Yes, I know my sisters aren't the easiest to be around at times. So this is my apology." She held out a flagon with wine and after a moment, Naruto took the offering. He was about to take a drink when the door opened for Carol to poke her head out.
"Sister, any troubles? He's not misbehaving is he?"
"No, of course not," Konan replied.
Naruto watched her close the door suspiciously before putting the flagon to his lips. Konan watched him swallow the wine with almost complete interest. Taking it from his lips, he waited a minute before sitting down with a yawn. "Hurry up you two, the sooner you finish…" he yawned again, "the sooner you go to sleep." Smacking his lips, he adjusted himself a bit before his head lowered, his body slouched, and the flagon fell from his grasp to the floor.
Watching him carefully, Konan gently pushed on his shoulder, only getting a deep sigh in reply. "…It worked, he's asleep."
She headed back into her room and Naruto opened an eye to watch her go. Once the door closed, Naruto stood up and muttered, "Sorry, ladies, I wasn't born yesterday." Walking softly over to it, he took out his knife and slid it between the door and the wall, catching the latch and easing it open so he could listen in on them.
"Sister, hurry," Carol urged. "We're going to be late."
"Yes, yes, just a minute," Konan replied, slipping into a dancing dress and pulling on her shoes. "How do I look?"
"Better than normal," Din replied. "That eager to see them?"
Konan hesitated a moment in answering. "Of course, who else would I want to see? Open the door, Din."
Easing the door open just a bit more, Naruto watched Din tap her foot to the ground three times and say, "Spirits from beneath the floor, open now your magic door," and the stone turned into a wooden trap door. Amazement barely described what he felt. The three quickly went down through the door and Naruto follow them.
Beneath the door, Naruto found not only a stair well that seemed to vanish into the darkness but a whole world down there as well. Looking back, the door hung in the sky, not connected to anything. "…Well, Alice, want to follow the rabbits down the hole?" Looking after the princesses, he was shocked by how far ahead of him they were. Like they were flying down the stairs instead of walking. Running after them, he felt like he was barely able to keep them in his sight. When finally the stairs ended, he could just see them running into a forest of silver trees. "Whew, I thought…heels were hard to run in!" Taking a break again one of the trees, he was surprised even more that they didn't just look silver, they were silver, from their leaves to their roots. "…Better take some of these. No way the king will believe this without evidence." Stripping several branches of their leaves and breaking a small branch off, he placed them all inside one of his belt pouches before chasing after the princesses.
He had just escaped the forest of silver when he caught sight of them again. This time entering a forest of gold. Taking another branch as proof, he followed them once more. And on the other side of the golden forest…he saw them entering a forest with trunks of jet and leaves of diamonds. Taking a branch of those, he couldn't help but smile. "I am never going to need money again."
"Time out, time out, time out," a short little fellow said, coming through the trees. "Just a second, jet? What's that?"
Naruto sighed and said, "Jet is a black precious gemstone. Shall we continue?"
"Sure, sure, just I never heard of it before."
"Get back to your spot in the story!"
"Sorry!" Holding his hands up in apology, he turn and fled.
"One little play for my sister, is that so hard," Naruto muttered before calming and chasing after the princesses once more. Just on the other side of the forest, he saw the three getting into a boat with three handsome men to take them across a grand moat. Taking them across the water, Naruto could do nothing to stop them. Looking at the castle they had fled, he had to admit, if ever there was an enchanted kingdom to live in this had to be it. It was a beautiful made from the purest white marble and rooftops made of gold. With nothing to do but swim across, he was about to get in the water when he paused and dipped his hand in. Even on the shore the current pulled at him to carry him away. He wouldn't make it.
"Now what am I supposed to do?" Fate was on the hero's side as from the forest of diamonds came arguing.
"That cloak belongs to me!"
"That's not fair, I want the cloak that makes things invisible, you can take the boots that let you fly but you can't have them both!"
Going back into the forest, he saw a tall man yelling at a small fellow, both wearing silks of a noble. "They both belong to me little man," the tall man yelled. "Besides, you can have the pick of the princesses' clothes, you know that tonight is the night that they will become prisoners of their princes!"
'What? I have to save them! Who knows what they might have already started doing!'
—oo000oo—
Gaara stood before Din, bowed to her and received a curtsy from the princess before taking her hands and dancing. Konan stood before Dinzt who, like those before, bowed to one another and started dancing. Lastly Carol stood before…Perrin. "Really," the Rand Prince asked, looking around. "Naruto, you couldn't have found someone else to dance with your sister?"
Naruto walked into the dance hall, shaking his head. "It was you or Kankuro. Go with it, please. Now if you don't mind, I'm still outside!" Naruto ran back leaving a sighing Perrin.
"Something wrong, Perrin," Carol asked innocently, not even understanding his discomfort.
"Just…I will probably have to get on my knees to dance with you, Princess Carol."
"A true gentlemen wouldn't worry about problems in stature," Dinzt said before stepping back from Konan and bowing to her. "Please permit me to come to the rescue of mien friend," he said, acting the noble prince completely. Walking over, he whispered, "Change dance partners," to Perrin before offering Carol his hands and Perrin taking Konan's.
—oo000oo—
"Those three princesses won't be needing their pretty dresses when they're scrubbing the castle's floors," the tall man tried to persuade.
"I don't care about dresses, I want the magic cloak!"
"Of all the stubborn men I know I…" The tall man stopped yelling as Naruto stepped into the clearing. "Who's that!"
"It's only me, gentlemen," Naruto said, bowing his head to them.
"And who are you, I've never seen you before," the short man said accusingly.
"Me either, who are you!"
"I'm here to make the chains for the new princess prisoners," Naruto lied.
"That's a likely story," the tall man replied, grabbing Naruto by his shirt collar.
"Easy friend," Naruto said to him. "I'm not here to fight with you, I just happened to be passing by when I heard you two arguing."
"…Oh, you must be the masters' new helper, the one that arrived only last week," the short fellow said in realization.
"Yes, my name is Naruto."
"Oh," the tall man said before letting him go. "But what is it that you want?"
"Well, I know a fair way to decide which one of you gets to keep the magic cloak and boots."
"What is it?"
"It's really very simple, all the two of you have to do is take twenty five paces from the cloak and boots and race back. Whoever gets there first gets to keep the prize. Now isn't that fair?"
"Very fair, I'd be certain to win," the short fellow said, glaring at the tall man.
"What do you mean you'd win? With those short stubby legs, hah!" Standing back to back of one another, the two men stepped away, counting out twenty five steps. "I'm ready!"
"So am I!"
"Very well then! On your mark, get set, go," Naruto shouted. They started running at one another at their best speed and Naruto looked between them as they did. Right before they got to the magical clothing, Naruto jumped on them and rolled forward, turning invisible as he wrapped the cloak around himself, tripping the two into one another. Running to the clearing edge, he nearly laughed as he looked back until he noticed the two had changed, the short fellow was really a kappa and the tall man was a minotaur. "Monsters? That must mean that those princes are monsters as well!" Replacing his old boots with his new, he ran to the moat's edge and jumped up. Nearly losing his balance as the boots grew wings and carried him away, he landed on the other side and went within the castle.
Within, Naruto saw the princesses dancing still, but those they danced with were no longer princes. Princess Carol was dancing with a vampire, Princess Konan with an oni, and Princess Din with a tanuki. "Not much difference," Din muttered softly.
"Don't they notice just what they are dancing with," Naruto wondered, still invisible. Seeing the look in the eyes of Konan, he saw a blank stare meaning they were under some sort of spell. "Okay, in that case…" Naruto ran for the kitchens, found a chalice with water, flew above the tanuki, and poured it on him.
"Wha!" The tanuki jumped back, breaking his own spell on the princesses, releasing them.
"What on earth is going on," Din nearly screamed, pushing the Tanuki away and trying to run.
"Sister, what are these things," Carol did scream as she ran from the vampire.
Konan glared at the Oni and started to said, "Konan Ichi…" The Oni held up a script, pointing at her line. "Oh, right, ahem…AGH! Get this thing off me!"
Still above them, Naruto drew Cutter and cut the rope holding the chandelier over the oni. Dropping right on him, Naruto dropped down and pulled her away from the mess before grabbing a candle and throwing it at a drape, catching it on fire and breaking the illusion on the whole castle, revealed to be a dark, dank cave. "Don't just stand there, run for the moat," Naruto shouted at the three of them, pushing them forward. As the vampire and tanuki put out the flames, the oni got out from under the chandelier and ran for the fleeing princesses. "No you don't," Naruto said, slashing at his leg with his sword. Though the blade did trip him, the edge could not cut him. "Uh oh…of course they wouldn't have boots of flying and a magical sword." Giving a strong kick to the face of the oni, he chased after the princesses.
"What are we going to do," Din asked fearfully. "They'll be here any minute now."
"Ladies, I trust I didn't keep you waiting too long," Naruto said, coming up behind them.
"Who's there," Carol demanded, even more afraid now that there was an invisible person talking to them.
"It's me, Naruto," he said before grabbing Carol by the arm and swinging her up on his shoulders. Then grabbing Din and Konan in an arm each, he carried them across the moat. The beautiful enchanted kingdom had turned into a dark and cursed land not even Naruto was willing to venture through had he a choice. "Quick, head to the stairs," he ordered them. "I'll hold back and keep them busy!"
The three princesses ran for their lives, growing more fearful by the moment. The trees that were once silver and gold were now covered in snakes and bats, horrible creatures were everywhere, and they knew if the three dark princes were to catch them, they would never leave this wretched place.
Every time the monsters came near, Naruto was there, hidden from sight and protecting them. Exhausted, the princesses reached the stairs and started to climb it. As they neared the top, the vampire came in, reaching a hand out to catch the dress Konan wore. "Oh no you don't," Naruto kicking him as hard as he could in the head. Though he knocked the vampire back, it pulled the cloak open, revealing him to the princesses and the monsters. "Hurry, to the top of the stairs! Don't wait for me!" Running back to the door, he saw the stars coming apart from the door. "Oh come on!" Willing his boots to fly one more time, he jumped up into the room and started pushing the door close. "Move!"
"Close door," Din said, tapping her foot. The trap door slammed shut, throwing Naruto to the floor.
Panting where he laid, he said, "That's it, you're all grounded. No more dancing for any of you, especially with monsters." All of them yelled when the three lords started beating on the door, trying to push it open. Naruto jumped on it first, slowing them, then Konan, followed by Din and Carol.
"I'm to blame, I brought them," Din cried.
"We're to blame," Konan corrected.
"They're to blame, they tricked you," Naruto told them all. As the first rays of sunrise touched the castle, the trap door turned back to stone and sealed away the magical kingdom once and for all. There, lying buried under the three of them, Naruto sighed. "…I could use a nap."
—oo000oo—
"Look, all I'm saying is why is Carol, the youngest of us, the middle sister," Konan said to the other two.
"Because that was the part we got," Din said exasperated. "Fine, if it bothers you so much, Carol is the youngest sister for the rest of the play."
"Ladies, we're starting the next scene," Rei said from his throne, looking around Naruto at them.
"Yes, King Rei," the three of them said at once.
"Now, Naruto, did you discover where my daughters were going?"
"Yes, your majesty," Naruto said, bowing his head to him. "You daughters were escaping through a magical door in the floor to a kingdom beneath the castle where three demons were making them dance."
"What? Do you have any proof of this?"
Naruto smirked and pulled out the small branches from the trees. "Yes, your majesty. These came from that realm." On a small table before the king, Naruto set a branch of silver, a branch of gold, and a branch of jet and diamonds.
"Good lord, these are real!" The king examined each. "You really speak the truth."
"If you like them your majesty, you may keep them as my gift to you."
"Nonsense. If anyone should be gifted it is you, young man."
"I need no gifts; I only ask what was promised me. The hand of your youngest daughter in marriage."
"You mean I get to marry big brother," Carol asked excitedly.
"WHAT! Hold on, you want to marry your sister," Konan demanded.
"Konan, that's my line," Naruto sighed. "It's in the script."
"Let me see that!" She jumped on him, pulled his script from his belt, and skimmed through it. "Wha…You do say it!"
"So I do marry big brother," Carol said happily.
"No, no, I take it back," Konan told her, rushing back while waving her hands. "You'll be the middle child and I'll be the youngest again!"
Naruto got up and said, "Did you even read the script, Konan?"
She looked at him and was silent a moment before saying, "Look, a bunny!"
—oo000oo—
"Ahem, I only ask what was promised to me, the hand of your youngest daughter, Konan, in marriage. If she will have me."
Rei looked around Naruto and said, "Well, what say you?"
"Of course father, I would be honored too," Konan said, walking up to him and smiled while taking his hand. "Not a bad conclusion for stealing a horse, is it?"
"Oh, I'm sure things will just keep getting better. But until then, King Rei, I could really use a bed to sleep in."
"Then you shall stay here, as my future son in law," Rei told him happily. "Konan, escort you future husband to a guest room."
"Yes father." The two of them left the throne room when Konan suddenly thought of something. "Naruto, how did you fly and turn invisible?"
"Oh, something I picked up along the way. You never know what you'll get while you're here, there, this place, that place, up, up, down, down, left right, left right."
"…I can see now I'm never going to be bored."
—oo000oo—
Naruto tucked Carol into bed as he finished. "Did they live happily ever after," Carol asked him.
"Well, maybe. I don't know if it was ever after but they were happy. Now, go to sleep." Standing, Naruto went to the door and closed it behind him.
Carol laid there a moment without moving before she looked to the floor suspiciously. Getting out of bed, she reached down and knocked on the floorboards. Thump, thump. Not hearing anything else, she was about to get back in bed. THUMP, THUMP. Carol gave a small scream as she ran to the door where she fought her big brother waiting, trying not to laugh. "Big brother! I heard the monsters down there under my…" She looked at his hand still resting on the floor where he knocked on it and got mad, finally getting Naruto to laugh. "Big borther!"
"Come here!" Naruto grabbed her and carried her back to bed. "Okay, no more getting out of bed, alright?"
"Okay. I love you big brother."
"I love you too, little princess."
Closing her eyes as Naruto truly left this time, she started to fall asleep when she heard creaking coming from the floor. Climbing to the foot of her bed, she saw a handsome prince lift a trapdoor and looking around. "Ah, there you are, little princess. I was wondering if you would like to dance the night away with…" Coral jumped from her bed onto the trap door, slamming it into his head. "Ow!" She continued jumping on it, closing it a little bit more each time until it closed on his hand.
"My big brother warned me about you," she said, lifting the door up a little, poking her tongue out, and when his fingers were gone, slamming it shut again.
Beneath the door, the vampire shook his hurting hand and rubbed his head. "That's it, Uzu no kuni is out! I'm going to Kaminari no kuni!"
—oo000oo—
Author's notes: I have wanted to do my own version of the 'Worn Out Dancing Shoes' for a long time. It was my favorite story growing up and even though I forgot where I even heard it, I never forgot the story itself.
Now, I keep getting a message from someone using a handle 'I Lost a bet with Madara' begging for it not to be a harem and to find someone else for Hinata and the others. Well, ILabtM, I hate to tell you this but pleading does nothing. Actually, I don't hate that one bit. You will have to read and find out what's the what. But I will concede this, did anyone else not get that Hinata was talking to her sister and teasing her, nothing else? Because Hinata, while appreciating of Naruto, is not interested in him. She doesn't even know him.