Chapter 21- Once Upon a Time…
The lights dimmed and it was only the moon that gave them light. It was peaceful… The stars were brightly twinkling in the midst of a clear, dark night sky… As the audience focused on an empty space at the middle of the stage, a voice is suddenly heard, echoing… It was Shino's, since he was assigned to be the narrator.
"Once upon a time, in a kingdom far, far away, there lived King Asuma and Queen Kurenai…"
Slowly, Asuma and Kurenai emerged from the center, walking arm in arm… Asuma wore a red cape on his back, with a big golden crown on top of his head. Kurenai walked beside him, wearing a beautiful lilac gown with a golden crown and a veil on her head. She blushed as she entered the scene with Asuma. Then, Shino continued…
"King Asuma and Queen Kurenai loved each other very much… They were happy with each other…The townsfolk loved them very much…"
"Kurenai-sensei…" Hinata said dreamily admiring how cute her sensei looked with Asuma.
Kurenai blushed even more as Asuma wrapped his strong arms around her.
Then, Shino went on…
"Though they were happy, they still wanted one more thing… They wanted a child of their own. Each time they would see a family walking together, they would look at them with sadness and envy."
KURENAI: Asuma, my beloved spouse, we've been together for so long. Yet we still do not have a child of our own. Of all things, having a child is what I desire most…
ASUMA: Have faith, my dear. And soon, God will grant our wish. He will hear our prayers and give us the child we have longed for.
"After a few years of waiting, the King and Queen were blessed with a beautiful baby girl. She had hair that shined like the sun and eyes as deep as the ocean."
Kurenai held a stuffed doll in her arms with Asuma standing beside her.
ASUMA: She's beautiful! Our prayers have been answered.
KURENAI: Our little princess… Her name will be Ino.
ASUMA: …boar?
KURENAI: What? I think boars are cute and lovable! So I'm giving her the name Ino!
ASUMA: If you insist, my love.
"They held a big celebration throughout the kingdom for the birth of the new princess. Kings and queens from different lands came to see princess Ino. King Kakashi and Queen Iruka(?) were one of the people who came to the gala. They were Asuma and Kurenai's closest allies. There, they made an agreement."
Kakashi and Iruka came to the center, dressed in fine clothing. Iruka was also holding a doll in his arms.
KAKASHI: It's so good to hear you finally have a baby, old chap!
ASUMA: I know. Isn't she beautiful?
IRUKA: She's a darling; I'm pretty sure our young prince, Shikamaru would be delighted to have her as his wife.
KURENAI: I'm pretty sure Ino would like that too!
ASUMA: Then it's settled! From this moment on, our kids are to be married in the future! This betrothal is official!
"Suddenly, a loud thundering sound was heard from behind… Purple smoke filled the place… Then, a raven swooped down and landed on a shadow's hand…"
ASUMA: (brings out sword) Who are you?
KAKASHI: (brings out sword) What do you want?
ANKO: Hahahahaha! What a heck of a party, huh? I hope I didn't miss the cake and ice cream! And don't forget the dumplings, of course!
KURENAI: (holds the doll tightly) Tell me! Who are you!
ANKO: (evil chuckle) Don't tell me you don't know how I am…
Meanwhile, in the audience, Gai whispers to Tsunade, "Hey! Anko's pretty good at this!" Tsunade turns to him and replies, "Yes, I know; She really gets into character, doesn't she?" Then, they continued watching.
ASUMA: Look, I don't know who you are or what you came here for! But I want you out of here, that's for sure!
ANKO: (chuckles) Oh, I'm terribly sorry, Your Majesty; Allow me to introduce myself! Maestro!
Suddenly, colored lights flashed and ANBU dressed up as green goblins jumped in and danced around Anko as green smoke filled the air…
ANKO: (sings to the tune of the Carmen opera)
My name is Anko
And I'm a witch
I love my dumplings
You should give 'em quick
'Cause if you don't
I will destroy you
'Cause I am evil and
I'm sexy too
GOBLINS:
Don't mess with her
'Cause she's real bad
And she can chop your heads off when she's mad
The dumpling queen
The evil queen
Just give your dumplings
If you want to live…
The song went on and on… The audience admired Anko's song and dance number.
Finally, the song ended and the crowd smiled and applauded with awe. Then, Anko pointed at Kurenai's baby and said, "Your baby… She's the birthday girl, isn't she?" Then, she walked closer and closer to where Kurenai was standing, "Such a lovely child… Too bad I'm gonna have to ruin her life! …FOREVER! (Dun! Dun! Dun!) Mwahahahahahahaha!"
Kurenai gasped and said, "What are you going to do to her?"
Anko smirked and rubbed her nose… "Because I'm evil, and because you didn't invite me to this little gathering, when your child turns sixteen, she will prick her finger on a spindle and DIE! Isn't it the meanest scheme you've ever heard of? Man, I'm good…"
"YOU DEMON!" Asuma yelled, pointing at her.
"I know… Thanks." Anko replied, massaging her wrist.
"Guards! Destroy her!"
Izumo, Kotetsu, Genma, Hayate, Raido and Ibiki, all dressed in armor ran into the scene raising swords screaming, "Down with you!"
Then, Anko let out a couple of smoke bombs and disappeared from their sight. The royal guards coughed.
"The witch disappeared… No one had a clue where she went. Everyone was deeply troubled…"
Kurenai fell on her knees, hugging her "child" even tighter, weeping, "No… Please… I don't want my child to die!" She wept and she wept. Asuma knelt down to hug her.
Suddenly, glittering dust sprinkled from above…
SASUKE: Nice sprinkling, partner!
NARUTO: Heheh… You too!
Sakura, Hinata and Tenten floated down onto the platform as the three fairies, suspended on thin, but strong metal wires.
KANKUROU: Yup! And it's all thanks to me! My puppet strings are the best, you can't deny it!
The three fairies each wore colorful, poofy-skirted gowns, with a pair of wings, a magic wand and a golden tiara. Sakura's was pink, of course. Tenten's gown was pale orange, while Hinata's was yellow.
"Though we won't be able to break the spell completely, I'm positive that there is something we can do help." Sakura said, "The evil witch's spell is too strong; but with love, the spell could be broken…"
Sakura, Tenten and Hinata quietly walked over to Kurenai and waved their wands over the "baby". Once again, Naruto sprinkled glitters from above to add drama.
FAIRIES: Hummmmm… Hummmmm…. Hummmmm…
ASUMA: Uh, what's the humming for?
SAKURA: SHUT UP, WE CAN'T CONCENTRATE! Hummmm… Hummmmm…
TENTEN: With our wands, we say our spell, to make the sleeping princess well…
HINATA: If love is something she can't miss, she'll rise because of love's first kiss…
"There! Now, we're done!" Sakura said, flipping her hair, "She won't die; but will only be in a deep sleep. If her true love comes and kisses her, she shall wake and all will be well!"
Kurenai and Asuma smiled and said, "Thank you ever so much!"
"Yeah… Call me when you need me…" Sakura said, "Let's go, girls!"
"And from that moment on, things became a bit brighter…"