Equestrian Heroes

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Naruto x ?

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Story Start

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Pinkie Pie was low on her party supplies and what else could be more fun than bringing along one of her friends to help her gather new supplies?

That and Naruto was being a grouchy pants because he somehow managed to break his left hand so Pinkie insisted that he spend the day with her.

With a happy little skip, she made her way to the first store. This store held what was essentially all the materials and supplies required for anything artistic. Paints, crayons, papers, and all sorts of other tools. "Hey there Pinkie Pie, need more paper?" A chestnut colored mare with amber colored hair greeted her. She was dressed in a white t-shirt that had all sorts of paint liquid splattered on it, yoga pants, and a black artist beret as they were called. This mare, Brush Stroke, was a lover of all things related to art.

"Yep indeed-e. Running low on supplies."

"Well I have your order right here." Brush Stroke said as she pulled out a folder of assorted color paper whose thickness could easily rival that of a dictionary.

Pinkie Pie happily paid her bits and shoved the book thick folder of paper in Naruto's hands. "See you later Brush Stroke."

"See you later Pinkie." Brush Stroke waved away as she went right back to reading the paper she was engrossed in before the two came in.

"Is all this paper really necessary Pinkie?" Naruto wondered as Pinkie Pie continued with her happy little skip. She turned and faced the blond with a silly grin.

"Yep. Shred'em up, add some sprinkles, and wa-la, instant confetti. Can't always afford the good stuff. That's for my super duper ultra deluxe hyper combo special parties."

"Hyper combo?" The blond asked as Pinkie grasped his arm and pulled him along the path.

"Come on, come on, we have much to get today." The silly grin was soon replaced with an audible wide mouth gasp. "So many things we have to pick up. I don't even know where to begin, I hope we have enough time today."

"I'm sure we will. We only have six hours." Naruto dryly replied. "As to whether I can survive those six hours is still up for debate."

"Oh Narry, you're such a kidder." One of the best parts about being pink was that faint blushes were pretty much invisible.

Pinkie Pie didn't know whether the fact her crush was oblivious was a gift or a curse. It just all of a sudden had clicked one afternoon when he spoke the words 'don't ever change' after the two successfully pranked Rainbow Dash the other day.

He liked her for who she was. He wasn't trying to change her. He didn't think she was dumb or childish. He liked plain old Pinkie Pie, and after what happened with 'that stallion,' Pinkie was afraid of falling for anypony. She wasn't sure what she would have done if she didn't have the right council.

For the past few days Pinkie Pie hadn't been seen throughout Ponyville. That led to a few ponies being concerned due to the fact if you weren't being greeted by Pinkie that day, you certainly notice her greeting somepony with her enthusiasm cheer.

"Pinkie?" Mrs. Cake called up to her. "Are you all right dear?"

"Y-Yes. I'm fine Mrs. Cake." She called out from her bed.

Mrs. Cake entered the room and Pinkie forced a smile as best she could. Mrs. Cake looked at the disheveled pony with concern. "You haven't left your room for the past few days. It's either been work or your room. A few of us have gotten worried. Is something wrong?"

Pinkie kept the force teeth bearing smile. "No…why would there be?"

"Well that Naruto colt came by looking for you. He said the two of you had made plans and it isn't like you not to keep plans you make with somepony."

When Pinkie didn't react with gasp or an alarmed expression and jolted out of there like a bolt of lightning, Cupcake knew something was up. It wasn't like Pinkie to forget something like that, considering how much she valued promises.

"H-He's not still downstairs is he?"

Mrs. Cake couldn't help but frown at how timid the pink mare was asking. "I told him you weren't feeling well. He didn't do anything to upset you did he?" She asked with a frown.

"N-No. Narry didn't do anything. Nothing wrong at all. In fact, I don't know anypony who could be more opposite about it." She finished with a sigh as Cupcake went over and sat on the bed. She ran her fingers through Pinkie's mane which had the effect of relaxing the mare.

"Pinkie, is there something going on between you and Naruto that is causing you to act like this?"

"There's nothing going on between us Mrs. Cake. We're just friends."

Between Pinkie's behavior and the way she said that, Cupcake was sure she almost had the problem narrowed down. "Is there a problem with being friends?"

"Mrs. Cake, I wish it was that simple. It's just…I…" Pinkie Pie looked at her employer and then looked away. "I'm so confused…and scared…and I don't know what to do. I don't want to stop being friends with Naruto, but I keep feeling this way and I can't stop it." The party mare was rather frantic and her tone sounded so exhausted.

"Oh honey, what's there to be scared about how you feel about one of your friends? He's a perfectly nice stallion."

Tears threatened to fall from the pink pony's eyes. "Because I don't want it to be like…to be like with…him." There was only one him that Pinkie Pie could be referred to. That name was never spoken in this bakery. "I like him Mrs. Cake. More than I ever liked my ex. We enjoy being around each other and it scares me to think how much it would hurt me if he betrayed me."

"Oh honey," Cupcake pulled Pinkie Pie into a motherly hug. "Naruto is nothing like your ex. You want to know how I can tell?"

"H-How?" She whispered.

"He smiles and laughs," The mare replied as a smile graced her lips. "…did your ex ever volunteer to work in the bakery with you, or ever go out and do playful things like prank or ever embrace his inner-foal?"

"No, my ex would question why I insist on doing those silly things sometimes."

"Exactly, they are two different ponies. If you ever want to get over your ex, you have to make that first step, and even if you two don't develop romantically, do you want your fear to ruin the friendship you two have?"

"No." She answered, casting her eyes downward.

"Then go to him," She said. "If you don't wish to court him, then just take things slow. Who knows, he might pick up on your cues and wish to court you. You'll find yourself stuck asking those questions unless you try."

Pinkie began to tear up. "But Mrs. Cake! What if I mess it up? I couldn't handle it! I don't think–"

"That's right Pinkie! Don't think!" Mrs. Cake said. "Just listen to your heart. For everything that can go wrong, there are just as many things that can go right. If I had let my insecurities about my appearance control me, I wouldn't have my husband." Mrs. Cake touched her finger to Pinkie's chin and tilted her head up gently. "Don't let this opportunity go. The best things in life can happen when you least expect it."

Pinkie threw her arms around the blue mare. "Thank you Mrs. Cake! I'll try to be strong and let whatever happens, happen."

Taking 's advice to heart, Pinkie Pie had decided to simply let things flow naturally. Allowing their friendship to grow with time and allowing time for Pinkie to be sure she could trust him with her heart.

From vendor to vendor, the bags that Naruto was carrying grew in size. "How you holding up back there Narry?" She asked as Naruto gave a shrug.

"Okay I guess."

That's when she saw somepony she thought she would never see again. The expression on her face was evident as she could see the concern on Naruto's face. "Pinkie?"

"I-I'm fine. In fact, I think I got enough supplies, so let's head back to the bakery." Pinkie was doing her best to mask her anxiety.

"What's with you? We have an entire list of items. I have to help you out today if you want us to get the items Pinkie."

Reluctantly the mare knew that Naruto was going to question her behavior if she insisted on going back to the bakery. 'Just got to keep calm and avoid him. Get your thoughts together filly. The bakery would be the first place he would expect to find you at.'

Forcing on her widest grin, Pinkie led him to the next store. As much as she tried, she couldn't hide the glances she kept sending in the crowds of passerby's.

"What's with you Pinkie? You ignored that one vendor who was trying to tell you about the special he had going on."

Pinkie found herself startled when Naruto suddenly cut her off. "Look, something is clearly wrong. I'm your friend right? Just tell me what it is." In a hurry to get away, Pinkie had trailed off to a lesser populated side of town, running on auto-pilot during her attempt to get away.

"Naruto…" The surprise in his eyes showed that he was surprised she referred to him by his name instead of her nick name for him. "I'm just so afraid that finding this out will make you think less of me."

"Pinkie, I would never…"

"As I thought, it was indeed you I saw Pinkie Pie."

Naruto turned around and saw who the speaker was. A stallion dressed in a dark blue, single-breasted suit with a gray dress shirt. His fur was that of a golden complexion, his mane and tail sepia brown and he was a unicorn. He was a few inches taller than five foot even.

"Gold Dust." Pinkie whispered in a subdued tone.

Naruto glanced between the two of them, picking up on the tension.

"So how have you been?" If it hadn't been for Pinkie's behavior, one might have taken the tone for genuine.

"I'm fine." She said as she hid behind the blond.

"Pinkie, why don't you come with me and we'll talk?" He asked, inching forward as Pinkie shied away.

"Look, I don't know what's going on, but she doesn't want to go with you. Maybe you should stop." Naruto strongly urged him to reconsider his actions in regards to Pinkie.

"I don't know who you are, but this is between me and my mare-friend."

Naruto couldn't help but be stunned. This creep? Pinkie's coltfriend.

"Ex. I told you I didn't want to see you anymore." She replied, her voice cracking in response to her near stammer.

"Now Pinkie, you've gone and let others put thoughts in that silly little head of yours. Look, I'm not mad, just come with me and we can talk this out."

This time Naruto stepped forward. "I'm only going to say this one more time. Leave her alone." He threatened the other stallion with a sharp gaze.

"And who are you to butt in our business?" The nice guy act that Gold Dust was using began crumbling.

"I'm her friend." Those words. Those were the words he always used with the strongest conviction.

Realizing what was about to happen, Pinky grabbed Naruto by the arm and began to tug at it. "Naruto, please, let's just go." She pleaded, the blond reluctantly agreed and the two continued on their way.

"Oh I see that's how it is. I should have expected a flighty little thing like you to have already moved on to your next stallion. You're all about fun aren't you Pinkie? I bet you put your mouth to real good use for him huh?"

Pinkie stopped as that last statement dredged up something as her ears drooped down at that. "Pinkie, come on, ignore him." Naruto softly coaxed her while fighting his own urge to turn around and rip the guy apart.

"I have to admit, as dim as she could be, she has a hell of a mouth. Has she opened her legs for you yet? Probably not, was always a frigid one. Then again, not like she's good for much else besides a cheap laugh and a good lay, and she can't even do those right."

A sob escaped Pinkie's lips as she began trembling and her legs nearly gave out. Her hair began to lose its shimmer and deflate. How could anypony say such horrible things to another pony? How could anypony willingly be so mean?

The sound of bags dropping followed by a solid thud and a yelp drew Pinkie's attention. Through her teary eyes she saw Gold Dust on the ground, clutching his mouth and screaming.

"Let me give you some advice. Stop talking. That mare is beautiful and sweet. Her life is dedicated to making those around her laugh and smile. To go above and beyond for others around her, whether they be friends and family or even for strangers is a quality few possess and I highly admire her for it. Anypony, myself included would be honored to have a mare like her for a fillyfriend, but I see she had the misfortune of running into scum like you first. So I'll warn you once and only once. Pinkie is one of my most precious friends and if you ever dare come near her again, I'll make you regret it."

Pinkie let out a gasp and brought a hand to her mouth. Was that how Naruto honestly felt? Her cheeks began to burn red and she sniffled. He began making his way towards her when she noticed Gold Dust's horn began to glow with an aureolin glow. "Naruto look out!"

Naruto dodged out of the way of the spell that soared passed him and cut right through a barrel, spilling the grain that was contained inside of it. With speeds faster than the stallion could react, Naruto drove his fist into Gold's skull with an audible crunch.

The rest of the events seemed to fly by. Pinkie remembered the sheriff showing up. A crowd. Coming home. She began to stir too and found herself on her bed, clutching on to somepony.

"So are you done using me as a teddy bear?"

Pinkie Pie rose up, letting loose of the hold she had on Naruto. "What happened?"

"You were worn out from all the excitement so I brought you home. As for the other guy, well, the sheriff has him locked up. He's going to come by tomorrow and get your statement. You okay?"

Pinkie Pie nodded in response. "I am now." Quiet filled the room as now the pink mare found that she was dealing with a multitude of feelings. What was once anxious, fear, and sadness ebbed away to a comforting sensation instead. One of gratitude and warmth and something else that made her heart flutter. "Naruto…thank you." It was at that moment, Pinkie knew that what she was feeling now went beyond a mere crush. If she wanted things to move forward, then she couldn't hang on to her baggage.

So with that she began to tell Naruto everything. That Gold Dust hailed from Canterlot. His mother was a high ranking member for a corporation that dealt with mining. Apparently he worked for the division in the capital city and was sent to Ponyville to investigate the mountain area for ores.

Gold Dust had a thing for having a good time and assumed since Pinkie was the premier party girl of Ponyville, he jumped to the conclusion that she was like the party girls back home.

Apparently he thought she was a challenge and it piqued his interest. For Pinkie, he seemed like a pretty nice guy and was into her so she decided why not. His true colors shined through when all he cared about was the carnal aspects of the relationship, which Pinkie wasn't ready for.

To her shame she admitted she allowed him to pressure her into oral, but no further. She later recounted how emotionally abusive he further got and how he accused her of cheating on him.

Of course later on she would learn that he had cheated on her with the boss of a competitor who was considering a merger. Word got out and said boss was not happy and Gold Dust found himself demoted, he was not happy of course. He blamed Pinkie, saying if she did her job as his fillyfriend, he wouldn't have strayed off. The ensuing fight had led to their break up.

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"From that moment, what used to be a crush grew into something more. That's when I decided to win Naruto over. "

"I cannot even imagine how difficult it was for you to discuss." Rarity could sympathize with the pinkette, considering some of her previous suitors.

"I'm glad you're alright. I can never understand what possesses someponies to be so horrible," Fluttershy remarked with a look of sadness. "Well, I, suppose it's my turn." With that Fluttershy began recounting how her feelings developed.

Next Chapter: Gathering of the Herd! Fluttershy Speaks Her Feelings! Estimated time remaining: 48 Hours