Chapter 6 - A Beautiful Bond...
"You don't have to worry about being mobbed or experiencing too much trouble with Rarity. She's a rather reserved and elegant mare." Naruto remarked as they continued into the rather ornate shop.
The Decorations of the shop consisted of tasteful banners hung from several walls even while in other places outfits were out for display one section to another. From across the room the call of a mare humming to herself as she used her magic to string up further ornaments to color the room. Spike spoke out first his voice lost in wonder. "Decorations. Beautiful..."
"Yes, the decor is coming along nicely. This ought to be quick. I'll be at the library in no time. Beautiful indeed." Twilight said as she observes the surroundings.
"Not the decor, her!" Spike said as his eyes fell on the shop owner.
The mare's appearance gave off an older vibe than the others they had met that evening. With her back facing them the first thing that could be seen was the plush weight of her tail groomed into a spiral of rich purple that twitched and swayed behind her back as streamer after streamer was tossed into the air, carried by the bold blue hue of her rich magic aura.
On her dainty hooves were indigo heels that gave her a bit of lift, yet the grace of her displayed not affected in any way as if she had been born in such shoes. The edge of her dress lay hung just a few inches short of the floor, revealing her ankles and a bit of her legs before the fine white silk of her back.
The entirety of the woman's trim and shapely back was on full show, but the amount of flesh shown was anything but tasteless as her hair hung down past the small of her back and was just as dolled up and curly as her tail. As she turned, the low cut of the dress gave her ample cleavage sensuous yet teasing view. Hung between her bosom was a small diamond attached to a gold necklace chain that contrasted nicely to her beautiful her.
Her movements shifted her dress revealing a slit in the leg of her dress that ran nearly to the right hip displaying the mare's eye catching feature.
Now getting picky she started to sort through what decorations she had left tossing one after another to the side while hunting for just the right flare to finish off the room. "No, no, no, oh! Goodness no." Crying out in disappointment she tossed suddenly became sliver of cloth away and shaking her head with disappointment.
Spike suddenly became self-aware and began to lean in close to Twilight whispering with care as he straightened his scales and the deep green spines upon his head. "How are my spines? Are they straight?" That was always one of the issues of Spike being a dragon. It was never a negative thing in the eyes of those who considered him a friend or family, but it was the fact that while he was closer to an adolescent by pony standards he was still considered a baby by dragon standards so it was always difficult to gauge how to treat him. Twilight suddenly realized why this seemed so familiar to her. This was the same sort of behavior Spike shown when he became infatuated with Moon Dancer.
But she had to forge ahead, Stepping in front of her assistant and calling out gently to the fashionable woman glad to have someone with some sense for the importance of the work that needed be done. "Good afternoon-"
And instantly she was interrupted as the mare held out a hand and silenced her with a finger pointed to her lips. "Just a moment, please! I'm 'in the zone', as it were." Another reach into the bin she had with her and at last the perfect flare to fix to top off the room her elated voice calling out in joy. Praising herself once she realized just what the outfit needed.
"Sorry, I suppose I should have warned you this would happen." Naruto apologized to Twilight as a smile tugged at his lips.
The sound of the voice alerted to the dressmaker as she craned her head. Her eyes lit up and with the design forgotten for the moment Rarity got up and she pulled the blond into an enthused hug unknowingly earning him Spike's ire.
"Naruto! Oh darling where have you been? You up and disappear for a two months sending only letters leaving poor Sweetie Belle and I wondering if you were ok." She said as she gave the blond one of her classic shaming looks.
"I'm sorry Rarity I had things I needed to take care of. How's Sweetie by the way?"
"The usual," she answered him with a dry expression. That could only meant the little filly was a handful as usual.
The sound of throat clearing drew to their attention that there were others still there. "Sorry, Rarity this is Twilight Sparkle and she's here to talk to you about the festival.
"Good afternoon-" Twilight began introducing herself before fore being Rarity suddenly yelped in response to seeing Twilight's mane.
"Oh my stars, darling whatever happened to your coiffure?!" Rarity asked in a shocked tone.
"Oh, you mean my mane? Well, it's a long story. I'm just here to check on the decorations, and then I'll be out of your hair!" Twilight countered.
"Out of my hair? What about your coiffure?!" Rarity remarked with a gasp.
Naruto whispered sorry to the Unicorn. He supposed he should have seen this coming.
"Do you mind?" Twilight asked but Rarity didn't hear her, and she stepped back into Twilight's personal space, grabbing her face and staring intently at it.
"You have a marvelous complexion, but these patches of dry skin and the condition of your fur suggests you're something of a recluse." She noted. Twilight grabbed her wrists.
"Look I'm not here for fashion advice all I want to do is…" Rarity paid no heed to Twilight's words as she stared at Twilight's hands.
"My word, you've never had a manicure in your life, have you? Not to mention the stitching of your clothing is worn out. This sort of condition can have only been have caused by frequent use. Nothing that cannot be fixed by moi."
Despite Twilight's protests Rarity began dragging her off, followed by Spike who was wearing a look of infatuation and Naruto with a look of indifference, having grown used to the seamstress antics.
"Don't fight it Twilight! Trust me, its easier to let Rarity go to work." Naruto called out to her. Moments later Twilight found herself being dressed up in a wide assortments of outfits.
"No, no, uh-uh. Too green." Twilight was dressed like the Lady of Liberty. "Too yellow." Twilight looked like some rich, high-class pony going to a garden party. "Too poofy." Twilight then had on more fancy clothes. "Not poofy enough." Twilight looked like a filly dressed up for a party. "Too frilly." looked like a queen in the old ages. "Too... shiny."
Finally, she got a necklace with a fancy saddle. "Now go on, my dear. You were telling me where you're from."
"I've... been sent... from Canterlot... to-" Twilight said in a strained voice before Rarity lost her grip sending Twilight flying.
"Huh? Canterlot?! Oh, I am so envious! The glamor, the sophistication! I have always dreamed of living there! I can't wait to hear all about it! We are gonna be the best of friends, you and I... Emeralds?! What was I thinking? Let me get you some rubies!" Rarity said as she went to find some more jewels.
"Quick! Before she decides to dye my mane a new color!" Twilight said to Spike as they decided to flee before Rarity got back.
The three of them soon found themselves on the outskirts of Ponyville once more. "Wasn't she wonderful?" A still love struck Spike asked the others.
A chuckle escaped Naruto's lips. "Rarity can also be another acquired taste to get used to."
"How did you come to meet such an enchanting creature?" Spike's desire to learn more about Rarity had overridden the jealousy he had towards the blond for the moment.
"Meeting Rare was one thing, but how we really became friends well…" had suddenly grown quiet and a faraway look filled his eyes. "It wasn't under the best conditions. Its not up to just me to tell you that other story, but I can tell you how we met."
It had been a few weeks since Naruto arrived to Ponyville and it was nearing the end of the Winter Season. He was making his way to a shop by the name of Carousel Boutique to have the clothing that he used to train in patched up. If he was lucky he might even get more clothing to wear instead of having to wash the same thing over and over again.
"Hello? Excuse me? Anyone here?" he asked as he poked himself around the circus like building. "Wow, she must be rich like a noble or something." Naruto murmured as he looked around. "Hello?"
"Please come in, I'll be with you in a moment." Naruto trotted deeper inside until he saw a Unicorn. Her horn glowed with a light heliotrope glow. One of the things Naruto came to learn was that some of these ponies were very peculiar about their image and colors. The only person who really struck him as someone really into that whole fashion scene was Ino. And even then she was more reserved then some of the residents he had encountered in his sort time here.
The unicorn lady quickly finished what she was working on. "There now that is all finished, how may I help...you?" Naruto watched the mare sputter before just stopping altogether.
Rarity stared at the stallion before her and she was horrified at his appearance. "Those garments are absolutely dreadful and will not do."
"Hey what are…stop…hey!" despite Naruto's protests the Unicorn began dragging him through the boutique before plopping him down in a chair.
"No one shall leave my boutique in such a condition. That mane of yours looks like jagged edges and your cover in splotches. Do you not take care of you mane?" As the Unicorn continued to dress him down Naruto couldn't help but wince. That rather pushy nature kind of reminded him of a temperamental Sakura.
"Look that's enough! It's kind of insulting that you're berating me without even getting as so much as my name don't you think? I only came to see if I can get my clothes mended but if you're only going to insult me I'll leave."
After the end of Naruto's statement the Unicorn looked remorseful. "Forgive me, sometimes I lose myself when I get caught up in fashion. To think I tossed my manners to the wind like that. How can I even call myself a lady?"
Naruto found himself stunned by how dramatic the Unicorn was being. She even went as far as using her magic out a couch and collasped on top of it.
"Look, I'm just here to fix my clothes or get new ones. I'm…" he paused as he tried to come up with a reason. "…someone who works out and trains a lot and I needed clothes to train in."
"Oh please allow me to fulfill this request. I assure you that you are in capable hooves." She promised as she brought out a measuring tool. She began examining his dimensions when she caught sight of something. "My word, what an interesting and fetching features I have never seen anything quite like it?"
Naruto cocked his head to the side as he turned to look at what Rarity was talking about? "What?"
"Your tail of course." She emphasized as if she couldn't believe he was clueless.
Naruto couldn't help but pale slightly. His tail definitely wasn't normal. It was more Fox-like then it was Pony.
"Oh such a divine feature. Think of the outfits I could make showcasing it. It is like this life of ours to bless me with such a divine sight, if only I had such a treasure."
The only thing that came to Naruto's mind was his hope that the Unicorn wasn't going to kidnap him and stash him in the basement or something. Finally after what seemed like hours he finally got his clothing, though despite how much he insisted on orange the Unicorn 'talked' him into substituting with something more luxurious, like violet.
"Mister Uzumaki I do hope you wouldn't mind taking up my offer for lunch as to apologize for my dreadful treatment of you earlier."
Despite any initial misgivings Naruto decided to give the seamstress a chance. She seemed like a real nice person. Pony. A real nice pony. He hoped he would get used to that soon. "That sounds like a nice idea to me Miss Rarity." Naruto accepted her proposal.
He would find himself soon inquiring about any opportunities to earn some money when Rarity approached him with a proposition. If he was willing to come with her to unearth and carry any gems found than she would consider it payment for his clothes not to mention she would give him a small cut for his services from the gems she sold.
"Coooooooommmmmmmiiiiiiinnnnnngggggggg!" The sounds of hoof steps approaching the door. Slowly, it swung open. She smiled. "Fantastic, oh and I'm so grateful you were able to come help me on this excursion," she said as she headed back into the shop.
"No problems Miss Rarity." While working on Sweet Apple Acres would keep him fed and with shelter he was never going to earn enough money that way. "To be honest I'm looking forward to see the mountain side."
"Well, we should make our way out," she replied to his enthusiasm. "After all, it's such a nice day, and I would hate to miss such a perfect chance to gather jewels." She finished as she grabbed an extravagant canary yellow sunhat off the hat rack to protect her from the rays of the sun.
"Well then Miss Rarity." He said as he held the door open for Rarity. "After you."
"My you are such a nice gentlecolt." She smiled as she walked pass the door.
Rarity smiled as the two kept began their trek out of the town.
Their journey took them north until Rarity found a patch of land ripe with gemstones. Apparently the mare had a gem finding spell. Using the spell she began walking in intricate patterns through the dirt field, protected by her boots, while also giving Naruto a blueprint on where to dig.
Every so often, the mare detected a cache of gems, in which Naruto then came to her aid and extracted the colored, translucent stones. Since Naruto was able to borrow an old worn out cart from the apples the haul that they were gathering were quickly outstripping any haul that Rarity made previously.
The place was fairly barren, apart from a tree line and the occasional rock. He could see Rarity ahead gesturing for him.
"There's another good few over here," she noted. Instead of having Naruto dig, she ignited her horn with magic and moved the dirt apart, revealing the gems. Bringing the cart over Naruto began piling the gems until it was nearly full.
"There we go, that should be enough."
"And you do this regularly for your craft? Seems like a lot of work you have to do regularly?"
"Well normally I during my hunts the amount I manage to forage has yet to reach a third of what you were able to assist me with. I do thank you, as this saves me not only time but lightens my schedule as well." Rarity finished with a happy smile.
"Well whenever you need help finding gems I'll be happy to help." Naruto finished as he returned the gesture.
Sure enough Naruto found himself spending more and more time at Rarity's boutique assisting the mare in whatever she needed. Because of the shortage of adult stallions finding a good and available stallion to model had proven unfruitful until Naruto came along.
Naruto found himself gaining a new respect for people who made clothing. He would find himself standing for what felt like hours when she would get his measurements, look him over, and then determine what kind of fabrics would work with his overall color, attitude, and physical appearance with the mare lamenting the fact that his coloration made it difficult to find good combination for the reason. Despite all this she still worked as hard as she could in order to piece together her vision of fashion perfection.
Over the weeks he had come to assist her he found that she'd work tirelessly, even going so far as to go without sleep in hopes of finishing clothing for him when a client's clothing took a bit looker to finish over some complaint that Naruto couldn't help but feel like they were minor. Despite him assuring her that she didn't have to go through so much trouble, she did anyway, because that was her nature.
Because of that Naruto had begun a transition of spending his time helping Rarity whenever he could to repay her for her generosity. That led to second factor that would play a part in the reason Naruto would inevitably move in. Rarity's little sister Sweetie Belle.
The moment Naruto saw the little girl he wanted to adopt her. She was the cutest little thing he had ever seen no matter how much of a klutz she was. Of course Rarity found this a blessing in disguise as she insisted that Naruto could help by baby-sitting Sweetie Belle. Sure that meant a lot of havoc and chaos would go on within Ponyville, but as long as it was away from her shop while she worked Rarity was than happy to accept the results of whatever a bored Naruto and Sweetie Belle could inevitably unleash.
Weeks passed by like that and sure enough Naruto found himself growing closer to the sisters to the point where Rarity cooking meals for him or him staying after hours was more common place. Sure the apples were more open and family oriented, but there was something more personal about the one on one time shared between Naruto and Rarity. He would regale her with heavily altered tales of his traveling experiences and she would share her own experiences of learning about the Prench culture and how she managed to find herself where she was now.
As such the trips for gem hunting were now a common thing between the two of them when Naruto had expressed his desire to build up a savings. Rarity usually only making trips every other week now found herself going every other day with the blond as his assistance increased her gem holdings nearly tenfold meaning she could afford to spend a few days assisting him to forage for gems. With enough stored they could go into the city where Naruto where they could be appraised and then he could find a business or buyer to exchange them for bits.
"Rarity I assure you I'm enjoying myself quite a bit." The blond remarked as Rarity had just expressed her concern that her companion spent more time helping her than worrying about himself. "I enjoy helping you out because it gives me something to do. You continue to take time out of your day to help me out of the kindness of your heart without expecting anything in return and trust me, not just anyone does that. Being with you has made me happy, because it's given me something to do besides working myself into the ground. I guess the best way to put it is you add balance to my life. While I'm not ungrateful nor can I ever forget what the apples have done for me what you've given me is something they can't. Being around them gave me a sense of family and a home, but being around you gives me a sense of duty. I'm…I'm really not the most articulate person and I'm sorry if I come off as rambling, but once again thank you Miss Rarity for being the most generous soul I've ever known." After he finished his speech a silence had formed between them.
A blush crept upon the cheeks of the mare. That had one of the sweetest things anyone had said to her…ever. She was at a loss of words.
When Rarity continued to remain silent Naruto began to wonder if maybe he had said too much?
"Thank you…Darling."
Hearing Rarity speak again caused Naruto to relax. Suddenly the smell of something had alerted Naruto. A sort of dank and hot, and musty smell that he instinctively realized without anything needed to be said. From around some boulders bipedal creatures appeared. At first he thought they were stallion because of their features, but a closer inspection revealed that the torso of their bodies had hair more reminiscent to human than pony fur.
These creatures were strongly built with flat noses, large pointed ears, long curly hair, and full beards, with wreaths of vine or ivy circling their balding heads. The features as Naruto realized were more like goats then ponies especially the one with the black fur. Unlike the others who had short horns this creature dwarfed the size of his brethren and had massive ram like horns.
They were all armed with staff like objects covered with vines and leaves and topped off with pine cones whose edges were maliciously shaved sharp.
Naruto had never heard or seen these kinds of creatures before, but something told him to be on guard. He was surprised when Rarity moved behind as her expression went rather ghastly. Whatever the hell these creatures were they were frightening to her. "Rarity? What are these creatures he whispered?"
"Y-You've never heard of a S-Satyr?" she stammered out but managed to keep her voice a low whisper. "It doesn't make sense. Why are they all the way out here?"
"Well, well, well." The black satyr spoke, his voice dark and smooth one would find befitting of a business owner. "A Unicorn mare. Heard they're be hunters snatching up your kinds for the horns."
Naruto's eyes widened for a brief moment before his face sharpened and his eyes slightly closed in disgust as he digested the information. This was the first he had ever heard of that sort of thing. "What do you want?" he calmly asked, trying to do his best to avoid instigating a fight. As long as Rarity was here he wouldn't be foolish enough to initiate a confrontation that could get her hurt.
"Your treasure…we want it." He said as he a beckoning motion with his clawed finger.
"Naruto darling, just give them the gems. We can always get more," Rarity pleaded with him.
Naruto turned his head. "I will Rare. I won't let them hurt you." He said as he turned back around. He grabbed what little haul they made and tossed the backs halfway between them and the Satyrs.
"That's all we have." Naruto said as he stepped back.
"You seem to have misunderstood me mule I said I want your treasure."
"I don't have anything else," Naruto knew two things for sure. Chances of things going peacefully were almost nonexistent and the way he was called mule was definitely an insult.
Without a word the Black ram simply lifted his staff and pointed at the mare. "Give us the mare and we'll let you walk away alive."
"The hell I will!" Naruto snarled as he finally realized what they intended. Naruto craned his head and turned to the mare. "Rarity, I'm going to distract them you need to get out of here."
"I won't abandon you!" she replied with a stubborn shake of her head.
"I can't fight effectively if I'm worried about you. Please." He pleaded but before he could get a chance the Satyr underlings charged. With one more cry to her to run Naruto engaged his attackers.
As much as Rarity didn't want to leave the blond, she knew she was no use in a fight. She shouted to the blond she would get help and took off down the path.
Immediately two of the satyrs shot forward using their feet they rammed into Naruto causing the blond to fly back slightly before digging his hooves into the ground. The breath was nearly knocked out of him as they continued their attempts to blitz him.
Realizing the Satyrs were much stronger than Naruto anticipated so it forced the blond to be more on the defensive. He placed precise and quick strikes into their ankles, throats, or whatever vulnerable place he could strike. When the other short horns entered the fray Naruto met them strike for strike, channeling his chakra to harden his skin and cushioning the blows before returning the favor. A solid strike to the abdomen caused the satyr with the short goatee to double over. Quickly maneuvering with a sweep kick allowed Naruto to trip one off his feet and quickly jump back, lunging his elbow into the throat of the Satyr.
Naruto let out a yelp as one of the Satyrs rammed his horn into the blond's shoulder causing a small spurt of blood, pain coursing through the right portion of his body. Naruto knew he had to work fast as the loss of blood and blood pressure will cause the organs of his body to start failing due to his body slowly losing oxygen.
Twisting his body so he could use the other part of his body Naruto grabbed the back of his head and rammed his knee into his chin sending the creature flying back. Naruto let out a yelp as he found himself stabbed by the creatures' spears. Apparently they decided that the blond wasn't the weakling they thought he was. Naruto nearly stumbled over from the numbing sensation coursed through his body.
All eight of the Satyrs charged him at once. Thankfully they weren't too bright or trained relying on their weapons and brute strength instead of tactics so Naruto began to use their strengths against them. As they charged him he maneuvered it so he could use his hands and hooves respectively to maneuver them to stab four of the Satyrs with their own weapons.
Landing on all fours Naruto grabbed two of them and held the other four Satyrs at arm's length.
"Put down the Thyrsus mule!" Naruto turned to see the black Satyr had Rarity slung over his shoulder. Letting loose a low growl Naruto dropped the Thrysus.
The four Satyrs that weren't paralyzed proceeded to wail on the blond. The pain was nearly unbearable as the strength of the blows left him bloody and bruised to the point his body gave out along with using their weapons to stab into the blond. They continued to attack the blond to the point where his body felt like it was going to be turned into paste.
The black Satyr tossed Rarity unceremoniously on the ground. Naruto's chest tightened as he noticed that her dress was torn and a bruise was on her face with blood seeping from her busted lip. The rage within the blond was slowly building.
"Pathetic!" the horned leader snarled as he rounded on his group. "A mere mule, a dirt digger of all things nearly did you in."
"But lord Ashby." One of the Satyrs began to speak only for the Horned Satyr to kick up one of the spears and launched it into the Satyr's shoulder. The Satyr dropped to his knees as he held back the scream through closed lips.
Naruto's eyes met with Rarity's, seeing they were filled with sorrow.
"I would have let you live, but your insolence has put me in a rather foul mood. So before I finish you off I'll let you watch your little marefriend bring me some relief." Ashby taunted as he grabbed Rarity by the wrists and hoist her up. Ashby's followers began to laugh and whoop it up.
Tried as she might Rarity wasn't strong enough to break from his hold and started to cry, pleading for him not to do this.
In that moment Naruto had snapped. One moment Ashby was celebrating his victory the next all he felt was pain. He looked to his followers and all he saw was shock and fear. What. What was going on? He looked down to see that Naruto's hand was buried into his throat. Naruto yanked back, blood spurted from the round as Ashby fell backwards dead.
"Leave…" the tone that left the blond was cold and completely hollow. He turned to the Satyrs his eyes crimson slits, but something was wrong. This wasn't the same as when he fought Haku on the bridge, or Kimmaro or Orchimaru all those years ago. There was something much darker, more sinister dark to it. This was definitely Kurama's chakra, but there was something else."…before I lose the remaining sense of reason I have left."
The cowards fled, gathering their remaining brethren and took off. The only remaining sound was the soft sobbing of Rarity. Turning to her he saw that her outfit was more torn up than he thought revealing further bruising and her bra. Naruto took off his shirt and walked over to Rarity. "Rare!" he softly called out to the mare.
She looked up as she watched the blond placed his shirt over her so she was no longer exposed. "Sorry, I'm so sorry." She sobbed; feeling that it was her fault the blond was so hurt. On one hand a part of her was repulsed and scared of the brutality of what she just witnessed. She had never seen anypony or anything be killed before. She certainly didn't know anypony who could commit such a horrid action, but on the other hand another part of her, a much larger and grateful part of her was thankful.
"I wish you didn't have to see that." He mumbled as he looked down at the ground.
Rarity was confused for a moment before she realized why he said that. He must have picked up on her still coming to terms of what just happened. Suddenly, to even her own surprised she hugged the stallion. "Thank you…thank you so much. I was so horrified and…" she trailed off.
"Rare…" he said, the sadness in his eyes was clear as he rested his chin on her shoulder. "I was…I was so afraid I would lose you so afraid that you might grow to fear me."
"Never, I owe you my life." She said as she felt a wet sticky sensation drip down on her. "Oh my Celestia." She cried out, completely forgetting how injured Naruto was. "We need to get you to the hospital." She said as she slung his arm over his shoulder and helped him up. "Can you walk?"
"Y-Yeah," he managed to get out as he felt his adrenaline began to drain. "Rare, " he softly said as he noticed it was starting to get dark. "It'll be faster if you…"
"Do not!" she sharply cut him off with furious tears. "I will not leave you behind. We are both getting out of here, together." She said as she slowly began their trek. They were miles away and at this rate it would be nightfall before they got back. "I…I was not strong enough to fight back. That will be something I will always regret, but I am strong enough to help you now. I have to be. I will be so do not ask me to continue to be helpless to do anything."
"Ok Rarity." He simply replied as they slowly made their way back to town. After that day the nature of their relationship had permanently changed.
Naruto realized he had been quiet for a good deal having become lost in his own memories. Before he could apologize for the sudden silence the sound of chirping birds drew their attention. He realized they were near the forest outskirts where Fluttershy frequented.