Once upon a time, in a very distant land, a set number of kingdoms were established. Overlooking the land were magical creatures of good that acted as peacekeepers between the kingdoms. The people of the land lived in peace and prosperity. Whenever something upsets that peace, the land's guardians would come to alleviate it, settle it with their magic.

Over time, the balance became unstable. One lone guardian among all the others had a different view. It began to use its magic powers for selfish reasons. Then it stirred up trouble, breaking the fragile peace of the land. The lone guardian turned its back from its duties, and the land began to slowly be covered by a darkness.

It was said, that beauty and love would one day mend the balance, and banish the growing darkness of the land. Out of fear, the lone dark guardian ventured out to extinguish any sign of hopeful light, and further cause chaos throughout the land. And the darkness continued to grow.

But then, among that darkness, a tiny bud broke through.

Final Tale of All Time

Chapter I: A Different Kind of Red

By: Kat Lee V

"Niichan?" A small voice called out.

A pair of big bright eyes, the color of incomparable shining deep red gems, looked down and locked with eyes that were nearly identical in color and shine. A small hand reached out and brushed back a few stray strands of maroon hair. "What is it?" The other replied.

In a room, sat a large canopy bed, with pale pink drapery, a big fluffy pale yellow bed sheets and comforter, and different shades of pink pillows. There were a few large scrolls hanging open on the stone walls, with beautifully painted images of nature and flowers, depicting the four seasons. Beside the bed were slightly opened glass doors, leading to a balcony. The sky was clear and blue, and peeking over the stone marble rails were tress, fully pink with blossomed flowers.

A small girl reached out her tiny hand to the slightly bigger child, sitting on the bed beside her, on top of the fluffy pale yellow comforter. She was lying at the center of her large bed, that looked about ready to swallow her tiny body. "Niichan, what is it like, out there?" The little girl weakly questioned.

The girl's brother, raised his head, and looked out through the open glass doors. His eyes spotted a few pink petals fly up from its tree, and a pair of birds soar by. "Well, it's really big and wonderful. There are so many things to see, and there needs to be a lot of time in order to admire it all and uncover every inch of it." The child replied. It wasn't odd that the boy was wearing an intricately designed white sun dress, and a big bright red bow on his head. Though the appearance looked like that of a girl, like his little sister, everyone knew that the older sibling was a boy.

The boy threw his hands out wide. "There is a place where a big flutter of butterflies roam, showing off their vibrant colors. Then a really weird land with singing and dancing flowers, a forest of different kinds of mushrooms and talking animals. I know that there is also an enchanting forest painted in crystal white, like on a first snowfall, even though it's the middle of spring." He then made a motion, as if holding an imaginary sword, thrusting it to the side. "Then in the seas, there are pirates, mermaids and giant sea monsters that are bigger than this castle!" The girl's eyes widened and mouth gaped open with awe. "I read that there is a floating island somewhere, where the fairies all stay, watching over the eight known kingdoms of this land. And it is said that it is a place were there are infinite rainbows, and where you can never grow old!"

"I also read that there are villages were there are little happy people, even smaller than you! And that there is a counsel of witches living in a city of emeralds." The boy grinned.

"Isn't that bad?" The girl questioned.

The boy shook his head. "Don't worry, they're all good witches, or what they said adult sizes fairies with powers of good. Then in the north, there are real live snowmen. There are all sorts of wonderful things and people in this world. I hope I get to see them, and meet them all."

A big smile formed on the little girl's lips. "Where will you go this time, Niichan?"

The boy smiled widely. "Otousama would be taking me across the sea, on our grand ship. We'll be going to visit the other kingdoms on the other side. I want to see the mermaids and giant sea monster!"

The little girl sighed, and pouted. "I wish I could go with you to all your travels with Otousama." She suddenly turned over to her side, burying her head into her big rose colored pillow. Then a fit of coughs raked her tiny body.

The boy instantly started to pat her back and rubbed it in a comforting manner. "Sorry, but you know why you can't go..." He replied glumly, while trying to soothe his sister. "I wish you could come too, but you'll just have to get better." When the girl shifted to her back, the boy took her hand, reassuringly squeezing it. "I promise you, one day, when you get stronger and your sickness is gone, I'll take you out of this castle, and we'll travel the world."

Big ruby eyes widened, glittering. "You promise, Niichan? I really want to see the home of the fairies and the land of infinite rainbows!"

The red haired boy laughed wholeheartedly. "I promise! I definitely will take you there!"

There was a knock on the wooden door. Movement could be heard within the cabin. Then a gruff voice called out. "Come in, deary!"

Without hesitation, the door opened, and light flooded into the darkened cabin. Standing at the door was a slightly tall figure, with a bright red cloak, overshadowing the person's face. "Chouko-baasan?" The figure carefully called out.

"Hurry and come in, my child. There is a draft coming from outside, and you know how weak and fragile I am right now." A scratchy voice sounded from within the darkened room.

The cabin wasn't big, but it wasn't too small either. It was an open one room space, with a curtain drawn canopy bed at the far end corner. There was a kitchen at the other end of the corner. An empty fireplace sat close to the bed, with a quaint high back armchair with a stool on top of a nice plain colored rug. There was another door, standing between the bed and the kitchen. And on the side of the small kitchen was a table for two, pushed up against the wall. Though small, it was convenient for the single owner of the place.

The door slowly closed, and the red hooded figure stepped in further into the cabin. "I brought some food for you, Baasan, to help you recover." A deep voice spoke.

"Oh, just put it on the table, and come closer my dear. I'd want to see your beautiful face. I'm sure your smile will help speed up my recovery." A voice came from the canopy bed.

The red hooded person walked over to the table, and placed down the covered wicker basket. "Baasan, that cold of yours must have gotten to your throat. Your voice is really deep."

There was a rough cough. "It must have. I hope I don't scare you with it."

There was a small chuckle. "Not at all." Slowly, the red hooded person turned around, carefully straightening the apron upon the red short skirt, with frills under it. The person went up to the bed. "Baasan, wouldn't you want to draw back the curtains? It's a bit dark in here. I heard that sunlight could help in curing illnesses."

"Oh, but it seems that my eyes are bit too sensitive to the light, my dear." A glowing eye was peeking between the crack between the drawn curtains of the canopy bed. Then a big hand came out through the drawn curtains of the canopy bed, waving. "Come closer, child."

"Baasan, you must have done something different with you hands. They're quiet bigger than I remembered" The red hooded person inched closer.

"Oh, you noticed?" The said old lady chuckled gruffly. "Well, it was because I was awaiting to give you a big hug, and hold you tightly."

A tentative hand carefully gripped the edge of the curtain. "I can't wait for that big hug, Baasan." Then suddenly the curtain was quickly drawn back. In one swift movement, a thin and long sword was drawn, the sharp edge already pressed threatening at the neck. Big yellow eyes widened, then the pupils shrank. A big jaw with a full set of sharp canine teeth were bared, rumbling with a growling sound. The red hood fell back, and ruby eyes shined with excitement and no fear. Burgundy hair fell in place, brushing past the person's jaw, framing the boyish face. The owner of the red hood was revealed to be male, and was grinning widely, showing a sharp set of jagged teeth. "My, Baasan, were those big teeth going to try to eat me?"

A threatening animalistic growl was the response, but the young male teen in a red skirt and cloak did not seem phased by the beast before him. "Mister Big Bad Wolf, you haven't been a good boy lately, especially impersonating as a grandmother to harass a poor innocent girl, just to have a snack, even though you have plenty of food to hunt for in the forest." The teen sighed, and rolled his shoulders. "You've broken the rules, as a protector of these forests. You'll need to be punished, you know."

"And who made you police of the forest?" The wolf growled. The big canine was on all fours, on top of the bed. It's size was massive, nearly as long as the bed itself. Its height came to the same height as the young male. "I did nothing wrong. The old hag that lived in this cabin has been long gone."

The male teen raised a brow, and pressed his rapier a big more against the werewolf's neck. "Really? And do you happen to know what happened to that poor old lady? From what I heard by the nearby village, the old lady was alive and kicking about four days ago."

"I did nothing!" The beast barked.

The red head narrowed his eyes. "And I think you're bluffing." With a swift move, the teen grabbed the wolf by the scruff of its neck, and directed the point of his rapier just mere centimeters directly at the big yellow eye. He glared hard at the wolf. "Now, so help me, or are you willing to lose an eye, or maybe your paws over this whole ordeal?"

With the last coin falling into the pouch, the tall young man pulled the strings and slipped the money purse into a hidden pocket of the skirt he wore. "Thank you once again, for helping us, Miss."

The red head reached a hand behind his head, rubbing it, as a blush formed upon his cheeks. "Er, it's no problem. But just call me Rin." He said to the old man.

"Well, Rin, you were able to stop the wolf of the forest from harassing us, ever again. You were able to avoid any of our children from getting eaten by such beast. We're so grateful!" The old man replied. He was the village elder, and like the leader. The red head, Rin, looked up to see the happy and hopeful expressions from the other people residing in the village.

"It's a bit odd and concerning, though." Rin furrowed his brows, and crossed his arms over his chest. "Through my travels in these forests and visits with neighboring villages, I've heard about the big wolf that can talk like a human. It was said that in these lands it was one of the guardians, what happened? Why would the guardian resort to eating the people of the villages just recently? It never happened before, right?"

The man bowed his head, and then a man in his mid forties stepped forward, beside the village elder. "I believe it all started about two weeks ago." The man spoke. Rin blinked, and raised a brow. "The Queen came by two weeks ago, demanding taxes. But since the Queen took the throne, the tax rates have been rising every time. It was just that this time, our village, and most likely the same with our neighbors, wasn't able to pay those high taxes. So the Queen threatened us..."

Rin frowned. Then a women stepped forward. "She told us that if we can't pay up for the protection and happy lives we've been living here upon her lands, then we no longer deserve it. Then she said that we're all just food for the dogs, and that our village was just not worth it anymore..." There were some women that sniffed, and something in the red haired teen's chest tightened when he heard the story.

"So that was about the time when your problems started, am I correct?" He gritted his teeth, clenching his fists. The adults of the village all nodded. Rin shakily exhaled, recalling all the stories he was told, when he came through the villages of the forests. It was the same for each village. Their live stocks were all killed or taken. The fields were destroyed, with large animal tracks left as evidence. Their homes were haunted by the loud howls and deep claw indentations upon the walls of their home. Then soon, people got attacked by a monster in the night, a wolf they all acclaimed. A few villages were not so lucky, as some of the adult men were slain by the beast, before it moved on. In the current village, the one close to the edge of the forest territory, the same things that happened to the other villages recently occurred. And they remembered a dear old woman who was more comfortable living alone, just a few feet away from the village, deeper in the forest. Everyone was too scared to go and save her, fearful of the prowling beast ready to attack.

Ruby eyes slowly opened. "Tell me, where did the Queen head off to, back to her castle?" Rin carefully asked.

The village elder shook his head. "No, the opposite direction, actually." He pointed to a direction to the North-West. "It's curious, as there are no other villages or towns of this kingdom that lies at that direction. All there is, is the neighboring kingdom, known as the natural habitat of various butterflies."

"However, no one has ever heard of anything from that kingdom either. It's been years since anyone from that direction has passed by through here in order to visit the late King's castle." Another man spoke out.

"I bet it was because of that damned Queen. Since the King remarried with her, things have changed drastically." A woman muttered scornfully.

The woman beside her had a sorrowful expression, huddling next to the other woman. "If only the princess-"

A woman came between the two, interrupting the other mid-sentence and hushing them. "Kaede-san, Chiyo-san, you shouldn't say things like that about the Queen. You know she has dark powers, and has ears everywhere." She whispered harshly.

Ruby eyes tore away from the villagers, and looked back at the short old man. "Well, I must make my leave then." He pulled his red hood over his head, with the shadow of the cloth barely hiding his deep shining eyes.

"You're going already?" The old man questioned, his mood falling. "You're not going after the Queen, are you?" He became concerned and fearful for the young man.

Rin scowled a bit, turning his head towards the direction of the neighboring kingdom. "I have to." He clenched his fists tightly. When he turned his head back to the old man and the villagers, he smiled. "Thank you for allowing me to rest here."

"No, thank you for saving our village from that wolf." The village elder insisted. The other villagers added their words of gratefulness to the young man.

The red head's expression slightly fell. "It's no problem, but I'm sorry about Chouko-baasan."

The old man shook his head. "It's okay. It's just we were not able to get to her on time. It's not your fault." The old man pat the boy's back in reassurance.

After receiving a satchel of food, and being warmly sent off by the villagers, Rin walked on the path towards the direction the nice people pointed out to him, where the Queen headed. After a fair distance from the village, the mood around the red hooded boy changed, and there was a tension in the air. A hand shot up to grip the area over his heart. 'Four more days...' His mind hissed.

Rin raised his head, and looked through the leaves of the trees, towards the blueness of the sky. 'I need to get as far away from the village as soon as possible.' He lowered his head, and stared straight ahead, where the dirt path continued on. 'What the hell kind of trouble are you brew now, you old hag?' He scowled, glaring ahead of him. 'Whatever it is, I'll end you, and make you pay for what you've done.' With a new sense of determination fueled by anger and hate, Rin marched on along the path.

End Chapter I

AN: A new story, and my first time writing about the fandom of Free!. Sorry, but I don't think I'll be doing anymore Naruto Fandom.

It's a bit short, but it's just the start of a multi-chapter story. If you knew already about my writing, then you'd recognize that it's a fantasy, drama, action type of story. And it all started with my urge to draw Rin, my most fave character in Free!, in a dress. It then ended with Rin dressed as Red Ridding Hood. Then it all went down hill from there.

There will be some romance, and my failed attempts at some humor. This won't be your ordinary story filled with recognizable fairy tales we all mostly grew up with. It will have some deeper and maybe darker tones and themes, with lots of twists. All of the stories would be connected somehow. The little story at the very top? It's a little original tale I made, as an introduction of this story. You'll eventually get to find out the true meaning behind it in later chapters. And also, there will be hints of romance. However, I'm torn between by two main ships I'm obsessed about: HaruRin or MakoRin. I think I'll lean more on HaruRin. But it will depend as I continue writing. I may leave it up to you readers on what to decide.

Almost everyone are 'princesses'. That's right, 'princesses'. Rin is a 'princess' too. Why 'princesses'? Because I want it that way. There will one day be a chapter discussing why they have such title, don't worry. Plus, it was for some kind of comedic purpose, and my own personal satisfaction of boys in skirts or dresses. You can check out the art I already have of the characters, if you want. It's found in my Tumblr page on my profile.

So, interested? Want it continued? I'm testing the waters here in a new fandom. I don't mind some kind of word of encouragement. And you'll just have to wait for the next chapter, when I'm in the mood... I think I need to lay down now.

-Kat Lee V (aka Datenshi no Uzumaki)