Friendship is Magic:Equestrian Heroes
Chapter 57: Gathering of the Herd! Rarity Speaks Her Feelings!
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"Order! Order! ORDER in the ROOM!" Pinkie Pie's voice boomed throughout the room in her best judge impersonation.
"Pinkie I trust you have that out of your system now?" Rarity asked as she waited for the mare of Laughter to settle down. Every herd hopeful had gathered at Rarity's boutique per her instruction. They had gathered around a table she had ordered and ship for the occasion with a table covering that was a stand in for the one she would be making later. Confectionaries were spread across the table for everypony's enjoyment.
Once it had quieted down Rarity stood up and began to speak. "I would like to thank everypony for coming here this evening. As you all know we have gathered here to discuss a rather personal matter. The creation of a herd with a certain stallion we all care for. Some time ago he had approached me and asked me to set up a meeting between those interested so we can come to an understanding. He came to me and expressed that I was the mare he felt best suited for the position of Alpha. Are there any objections?" Rarity was surprised that there wasn't so much as a peep. She decided to carry on. "With that I thought it would be best to discuss the nature of our feelings for Naruto so we can all have an idea of how committed we are and to give us a better understanding of each other. I shall lead and then we will converse and decide who is next to go. There was no one particular moment that won my heart, but a series of moments that showed me the strength of his character.
After another rather disastrous date Rarity had returned back to the Boutique. There was nothing like a nice long soak to wash away the troubles, but first to check up on her sister. "Sweetie Belle! Naruto! I'm home!" she called out only not to hear any greetings or calls in response. "Huh, that is rather peculiar." The mare mumbled to herself as she continued further into her home.
After a few minutes of looking she finally managed to find them. The sight that greeted her was quite possibly one of the most adorable things she had ever seen.
There, on her satin red fainting couch laid a passed out and snoring Naruto with Sweetie Belle resting on top of his chest. One arm was nestled along her protectively as the two shared the same l smile.
She had to force herself not to let out an aww at the scene. She couldn't help but take notice of drawings on the table. Images of Naruto and Sweetie and the adventures they went on today. As she glanced over them it took her a moment to realize that half of those images were when she was dragging the two of them along in preparation for her big date. As she looked at their expressions and the joy they were having she came to realize just how lonely Sweetie Belle must have been whenever she visited. Rarity mentally promised herself she was going to try and be a bit more attentive to her sister.
Not having the heart to disturb them Rarity when and got a blanket and covered the two of them up.
"It was that moment I realized how much he truly cherished Sweetie Belle. Any stallion can say or act like they love foals, but its another thing all together to see it in practice." Rarity finished as all the others continue to watch her with apt attention. "
She had made her way to the kitchen like any other morning. She was tired, having spent the night working tirelessly on the order of outfits she had been working on. She was starved for coffee and began making her way to the kitchen only to be flabbergasted by the site before her.
All the table was an impressive spread of biscuits, eggs, hash browns, haycakes, and an assortment of condiments used to top off such things.
"Oh hi Rarity!" He greeted her with a wide smiling face.
"And hello to you too Naruto." Rarity speaks somewhat drowsily, lazily bringing a hand up to wipe the sleep from her eyes. "I have to say this is rather surprising."
"I hope you don't mind, you were really tired last night so I thought I'd make you something to eat."
"Not at all," she could smell the pleasant aroma from where she was standing. When was the last time she sat down and had a hearty meal? She couldn't remember.
"I hope you don't mind that I brought you back to your room as is. There was no good way one could go about having that kind of conversation."
A gasp left Rarity's lips as she remembered her taste of undress.
"Are you alright?" his voice was filled with concern.
"Well…it's just," she couldn't keep the quiver out of her voice as a blush threatened to break out. Flustered the mare wanted to look for an out, but considering he lived with her it would have made things more awkward than necessary. "In the state I'm in your must think I look like a mess."
Naruto let out a laugh much to the mare's confusion. "Are you kidding me? It takes more than a little bed mane to make you look anything less than beautiful Miss Rarity."
"Come now do not like to me? What about my matted fur and smeared make-up? Surely you cannot say I look appealing as I do now?"
"The mare that took me into her home. That gave me a job so I can earn money. Whose kindness and generosity is almost boundless. Can look nothing less than fetching in my eyes."
A slight shade of red begins to sting Rarity's cheeks. "Oh…my, you flatter me." Such honest praise had struck a chord within the mare. There it was again, that same feeling that the blond would invoke in her.
"It was more than one simple gesture that won my heart. It was quite simply all the times he was there for me.
"Rarity what happened?" he asked as he practically burst into the room. "Are you alright?" He quickly looked her over to see that she wasn't hurt.
"It was absolutely dreadful," she wailed, stressing out the last word as she buried her face into his shirt. He responded by comfortingly rubbing her back and allowing her to cry her eyes out. After a few minutes Rarity calmed down enough to tell him what happened.
"Well we started the evening with going to his cousin's party. Everything seemed to be going fine, the atmosphere was lovely not to mention the food was quite appetizing. Then we got to dancing and he started to get fresh with me and made his intentions known he wanted the nature of our relationship to be more carnal in nature. I of course refused seeing as we did not know each other in that way to be intimate. He then made an excuse and walked off. I waited of course and after fifteen minutes I decided to look for him as it would be rather improper to abandon your date at a party without so much as a word. I happen to stumble upon him and a few of the local stallions of the town and they were talking about me. Curious, I listened in and you would not believe what I heard." At this Rarity began to tear up again. "They were saying horrible, dreadful things about me. About how stuck up I was and other words I wouldn't dare repeat in polite company or otherwise. They were talking about how they paid him to come in and to create a situation where I would be knocked off my high pedestal so to speak. They even had the nerve to compare me to the mares in old times that treated stallion as nothing more than bed warmers and field hands. "
A scowled formed on Naruto's face as Rarity began to slowly trail off as she recounted the events of the nights. "Those stallions…no those colts are obviously less than trash. What they say about you doesn't matter."
"Oh, I know you're right but," she clasped her right hand against her cheek. "What if…what if that's how the majority of the stallions feel?" The stallion had seemed so nice and he had the respectable job of being a banker. After going dateless for the larger part of the year Rarity had decided it wouldn't hurt to go on a date or two to test the waters. While she still held out to meet and marry a prince it didn't mean she did not have the desire to be held or to have somepony express to her how beautiful she is.
"I… don't." Naruto responded as Rarity looked up at the blond as if surprised by his admission. "A real stallion wouldn't go out of his way to emotionally hurt a mare in such a way. Obviously they have problems; they're weak so they tried to in their eyes drag you down to their level, but they'll never understand how much of an amazing and sweet mare you are. Quite honestly it's that jerk's loss, he missed out on something amazing."
A smile graced Rarity's features as she closed her eyes.
Naruto.
It was always Naruto.
Assisting her.
Caring for her.
Protecting her.
Being her friend.
He always knew just what to say to make her feel better. Naruto who had protected her against those Satyrs. Who said the sweetest words a stallion had ever expressed about her. Who adored her little sister. Who got along with her family. Who right now was comforting her and making her feel like the most special mare in the world.
"Thank you. " she whispered as her cheeks darkened. It appeared that her perfect gentleman had been right in front of her the entire time. Rarity began to lean forward as it was her intent to have a 'moment' with the blond. There was nothing that could possibly ruin it. "I feel so embarrassed. I made a complete and utter spectacle of myself."
"You were hurt, its perfectly understandable for you to act like that. I'll always be your friend Rare. You don't ever have to worry about me betraying you. "
His statement caused Rarity to pause. She hesitated and wondered if this was the right time? She was still felt rather emotional after tonight's events and she hated the idea that she would ruin her friendship with Naruto as a result.
What if she still didn't feel the name in a week? What if he didn't feel the same about her? All Rarity knew was that if she rushed things she was going to regret it. Rarity made the firm decision to not pursue the blond, at least until she took some time to really assess her feelings for the blond and was absolutely sure that their friendship wouldn't be ruined by this development.
"I feel much better now. I feel like taking a shower and turning in for the night." Rarity suppressed the desire to sigh as the blond pulled away from her
"I'll be in my room if you need me. Have a good night." He said as his hand brushed over hers before he got up and began leaving the room.
"You have a good night as well." She said as she watched him leave.
"And despite those moments I could never forget the one major one incident that cemented his importance in my life and how thankful I am to know him."
Rarity couldn't help the fear that was coursing through her. 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. These creatures were more like goats then ponies especially the one with the black fur. Satyrs were known both for their brutal and sexual domineering nature.
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.
Rarity moved behind Naruto as she couldn't help but look on fearfully at the creatures. s 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?" she wondered to herself.
"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."
"What do you want?"
She asked him calmly ask, hoping that the Satyrs weren't going to attack.
"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," She pleaded with him in hopes that the Satyrs would just take the gemstones and go.
That was when the blond turned to her. "I will Rare. I won't let them hurt you." His words comforted her as she watched him grab the haul they made and tossed the bags 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."
Rarity found herself seized with fear at the creature's implications.
"I don't have anything else."
Without a word the Black ram simply lifted his staff and pointed at her. "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 cried out and stubbornly shook her head. He must be joking if he thought she would just abandon him.
"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.
She had only gotten a few hundred feet when that black ram attacked her. Never before had she been struck with such force in her life. She could feel her mouth bleeding from where she was struck.
She let out a shriek as the creature grabbed her, tearing her outfit in the process as he began to drag her back to where the others were.
Landing on all fours Naruto grabbed two of them and held the other four Satyrs at arm's length.
She found herself tossed on the ground, her head throbbing, and her lip in particular.
"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.
She had never felt so weak and helpless in her entire life. She looked up and met Naruto's eyes. She was so scared.
"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 Rarity felt herself hoisted up by her lips.
She began to struggle but it was no use. The Satyr and his followers laugh as she was hoisted up by her wrists. Ashby's followers began to laugh and whoop it up. "Please! Don't do this!" She could feel the tears falling as she pleaded for this not to happen. Her stomach churned and the vile that threatened to rise, she knew what was inevitably going to happen and nothing could stop him from taking her innocence or her life.
The next thing Rarity knew she was free. What had happened? She looked around; trying to understand what was going on.
That's when she saw it, Ashby's corpse.
"Leave…" the tone that left the blond was cold and completely hollow."…before I lose the remaining sense of reason I have left."
The cowards fled, gathering their remaining brethren and took off.
All the while she tried to calm herself but couldn't help It as soft sobs escaped her lips. He turned and saw her. "Rare!"
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.
The trip in itself was steeped in silence. Despite how soar she was and how tired her hooves were she not going to stop carrying him. She was not going to give up on him.
"I can recall or reflect on any number of memories, but the ones I gave you more than speak for themselves. For he is one of my dearest friends, my prince, and my shining knight all roll into one package. He before I learned he was hand-picked by the Princesses themselves as candidate for the Lunar Guard I knew in my heart he was the one for me. While it may not have been the fairy tale I dreamed of, I see nopony, prince or otherwise I would share my life with. "
The others had silently contemplated what they had just learned. Hearing in detail what the two had gone through gave them a new perspective on why the two of them were so close.
"In other words my feelings for him are both genuine and strong. I would love nothing more than to build a life with him or at the very least explore the depth of these feelings. Now, is there anypony who wishes to go next?" She asked as she looked amongst the group.
"Well," Applejack spoke up when she realized the others were hesitating to speak up. "Guess ah'll go next." She answered with a shrug as she began to explain her reason for being there that day.