~*Peace At Last*~

"Thanks Kisa." Tonya called over her shoulder as the younger girl smiled.

"Of course! It's the least I could do after all you've done for me." Kisa said as she gently scrubbed Tonya's back.

It'd taken them a few days to return to Iga village. Munenori had stayed behind to spread word that Mitsuhide had killed Nobunaga and set the temple ablaze. Not giving Mitsuhide a chance to tell what really happened. Saizo, Sasuke, Kotaro, and the other ninja all headed back to their villages to share the good news. Tonya had wanted to return to her village as well, but she wanted to rest a few days before making the journey. To just take a break from it all before hitting the road again.

"Hey Tonya, you in there?" the girls heard Musashi call through the door as Tonya got out of the tub carefully. Still a bit sore from her bout with Nobunaga.

"I'm just getting out, why?" She called back as she carefully dried herself off. Kisa following her lead as the two dressed and headed out of the bathhouse.

"Goemon wanted to see you. He's back from doing whatever he was doing." Musashi muttered as he scratched his head.

"Ok. Say Musashi, what do you plan on doing now that the war is over?" Tonya asked as he grinned, resting his hand on his blades.

"Munenori offered me a position under Tokugawa. He wants me to train their samurai. I'm thinking about taking him up on his offer. Would you miss me if I did?" He asked as he looked down at her.

"Of course I would! You guys are like family to me!" She hugged him tightly as Musashi returned it. "I'm going to miss you all terribly. So of course I'll have to pop in every once in a while."

"At least I know you'll be well taken care of." Musashi chuckled as he messed up her hair. "Now go. He's waiting in the main hall for you."

Tonya nodded as she headed inside the Hattori mansion, leaving the two standing there with smiles on their faces. Tonya fixed her hair as she felt her heartbeat pick up. Goemon had been gone for the last few days. Leaving only a note for her saying that he'd be back quickly and not to miss him too much. Naturally she'd gone a bit crazy worrying about him. Wondering what he'd been up to that he couldn't tell her. She did her best to calm herself as she pulled open the sliding door to see Goemon sitting there, speaking with someone.

"There you are. You've kept us waiting." He smiled warmly as Tonya picked up on a key word.

"Us?" She mumbled as a familiar chuckle reached her ears. One that she'd been longing to hear for quite some time. She looked at the person sitting across from Goemon as a crinkled old smile met her eyes.

"My Tonya, you've grown quite a bit in your journey haven't you?" The elder said as she rushed to him.

"Grandpa!" She called out as she threw her arms around his shoulders.

"I've missed you dearly my child." He said before letting go, holding her face softly between his hands. The two just smiling at each other for a time before Tonya put it all together.

"Goemon, did you bring him here?" She asked as she looked at the red head, grinning that sheepish grin of his.

"Yes. This nice young man escorted me all the way here from our village. Said that you wished to see me, but that you weren't fit for travel. So naturally I had to come." The elder said as Tonya couldn't help and smile. Clearly Goemon was already off to a good start with her. Speaking of said red head, Goemon cleared his voice as all eyes fell on him.

"Elder, that isn't the only reason I asked you to come here. I wished to do this with Tonya here as well." Goemon started out as he placed his hands on his lap, his face becoming very serious. "Elder, I would like to ask for your permission to marry Tonya."

"Is this so?" The old man asked as he glanced at Tonya who was covering her mouth. Unaware that Goemon had brought her grandfather out to Iga just to ask him for his permission.

"Yes. I'm sure you are aware of my reputation amongst the women. About how I do nothing but toy with emotions and break hearts. I can assure you that is not the case here. For the first time in my life, I found myself chasing a woman instead of the other way around. And in the process I fell in love with her before I even knew it. She'd torn down the walls I'd built around my heart and brought forth the true me. Even when I was fool and did so many things to hurt her, she stayed by my side when most others would have given up. Elder, I love Tonya with all my heart and intend to spend my life repaying her for all she has done for me. And for some reason she loves me, even though I do not deserve it. So I ask for your blessing and allow us to marry." Goemon bowed his head as the elder looked at him with impassive eyes.

The elder could clearly hear the dedication and devotion in Goemon's voice as he spoke. He could see it in his eyes as the man could hardly keep from looking at the girl he intended to marry. The elder could tell that Goemon planned to keep his word, otherwise he wouldn't have gone to such lengths to try and prove it to the man. The elder glanced at Tonya with a smile on his face as she drew in a breath. A chuckle escaping from the old man as he leaned forward and placed a hand upon Goemon's shoulders.

"Rise young man. While I am aware of your undesirable reputation, I can clearly see that you are dedicated to my girl. Therefore I give you my blessing to wed. I just ask that you always take care of her. And never forget what a treasure she is." The elder said as Goemon lit up, gripping the old man's hands tightly as his eyes seemed to shine.

"I give you my word that on my life that I will do all I can to keep her happy." Goemon promised as he turned to Tonya who couldn't hold back her tears of joy.

Word spread quickly of their engagement. Hanzo sent word to her village to let them all know of the happy news. A huge feast was to be held in their honor in a few nights. Goemon wished to wait until everyone could be there to celebrate with them. He knew it was what Tonya would want. As the day slowly drew to an end, Tonya sat out on the veranda as the elder came to join her. The two enjoying the cool night breeze together as they had so many times before.

"It's a little saddening. To know that I'll be giving you away soon." The old man sighed as he reached out and squeezed her hand. "But at least he's a good man that I know I can entrust you with."

"Gramps, thank you so much. I can't even begin to explain how happy I am right now." Tonya sighed as she looked up at the stars.

"I can tell you two love each other deeply. Don't ever lose that feeling and hold on to it as tight as you can." He said as Tonya giggled.

"I don't think I could if I wanted to. Because loving him is as easy as breathing. It just comes naturally." She smiled as the elder pulled her into a one armed hug.

"Ah, there you two are!" Goemon called out as they turned to see him holding a tray with cups and quite a few sake bottles on it.

"Goemon what are you doing?" Tonya asked as he sat down beside his future wife.

"Well it's a special day right? So what better way to celebrate than with a drink?" He chuckled as he poured a cup for the elder and passed it to the man before pouring another one and offering it to Tonya.

"Oh no. I think I'll pass." She said as the elder held shook his head, a grin slowly forming on his face as Goemon narrowed his eyes at the girl.

"Ok, every other time you've passed up drinks with me. Which is understandable considering how things used to be. But we're going to be married soon! So I say you have to have drink with me at least once." Goemon huffed as the elder couldn't contain his laughter anymore. "We could even make it into a game and when you start feeling the slightest bit nauseous you can stop. I promise."

"Goemon, you may just regret that." The elder snickered as Tonya took the cup from Goemon.

"Well, since you insist." She smirked as she easily downed the drink. Making Goemon happy to see that she was cooperating.

Just like the elder said though, he would regret it. They went through about three bottles each until Goemon had to call it quits. Wondering how Tonya still looked fine as she finished off the last of her bottle while Goemon still had a bit left in his. The elder couldn't help but laugh at the sight as Tonya took the remainder of his liquor and chugged it as well. It made Goemon want to pass out at just seeing that as she wiped her lips clean.

"How in the world?" He asked as the elder leaned forward to look at the man.

"She has the highest tolerance in our village. Since she was always out hunting the men, they used to challenge her to drinking contests. At first it used to make her sicker than a dog, but now she can drink just about anyone under the table." The elder explained as Goemon felt like he wanted to fall over. And not because of the alcohol.

"And I don't get hangovers either." She said smugly as Goemon shook his head before laughing as well. The girl never ceased to amaze him.

"I think I'm going to turn in for the night. Will you two be ok?" The elder asked as he stood, looking down at them.

"We'll be fine. It's not the first time I've had to take care of him." Tonya giggled as the old man nodded, leaving the two of them alone.

"You do know that I'm not drunk right?" Goemon muttered as he looked at Tonya. Her eyes trained on him as a question burned in within them. "What is it now?"

"Something you said earlier. About not deserving love. Where did that come from?" She asked as Goemon sighed, looking up at the night sky.

"My childhood was one of the more undesirable ones. I was sold off at a young age to pay off my parents debts. My master used to beat me relentlessly for no reason. Just to feel like a big man I guess. So one day I'd finally had enough of it. I stole some of his money and then ran away. For a time, I made a living as a thief. Stealing from the corrupted rich and sharing my spoils with the less fortunate. It was a good life for a time. Till that night." Goemon lowered his head as Tonya waited patiently for him to continue. "I hadn't counted on anyone being there. Figuring I could sneak in and out before anyone saw me. But the woman of the house saw me. She freaked before I could say anything and quickly ran towards her child's room. Killing her child quickly and then stabbing herself. Figuring that she was sparing themselves from being raped or tortured before being killed by some stranger. That night shook me to my core. I tore out of that house, running as fast and far as I could. The faces of that woman and her child constantly haunting me. I collapsed a day later just outside of Iga. Hanzo had found me lying on the ground. They took care of me and welcomed me into their homes. It was then that I decided that I would do whatever it took to make up for that awful night. To redeem myself of all my past sins. That is why I believe I don't deserve love. I was warped and twisted so much from the time I was born that the deck had always seemed like it was stacked against me. That's why I had never believed in love till I met you."

"Goemon….I'm sorry if I made you think about something unpleasant." She whispered as he drew the girl close to him.

"It's fine. I'm actually glad that you asked. Because now there are no more secrets between us." He took her hand and held it tightly as Tonya looked away from him.

"Actually, I have a confession….I'm pregnant with Sasuke's child…" Tonya said softly as she felt Goemon freeze up beside her. Sending the girl into a fit of laughs as Goemon realized she was just joking. Growling in distaste at her joke before cracking a smile. "I'm sorry! I couldn't help it!"

"You can be such a little brat." He muttered as he pinched her cheek lightly as the girl just rubbed it as her laughter slowly died out.

"You're wrong you know." She said as Goemon arched a brow, wondering what she was referring to. "You do deserve love. You overcame your demons when you could've easily gone down a dark path. You dedicated your life to protecting what you hold dear and trying to do right by yourself. Rising above everything that had been thrown your way. Even though you have some annoying attributes, you are a kind, gentle, and caring man. Giving out small fractions of your love to those around you by fighting for them. So it's about time someone gave you a little of their love to help replenish your own."

Tonya turned and smiled at him, the moonlight illuminating her face brightly. Goemon just stared at the girl for a time, wondering how he'd been so lucky for her to choose him as he reached out and kissed her. Gently at first before deepening it. Fighting his urges greatly as he pulled her into his lap. Not breaking off their kiss as their lips moved faster and faster. Eventually Goemon pulled back and just held her face gently as she placed a hand over his.

"Shall we retire for the evening?" Goemon asked as Tonya nodded. Crawling out of his lap as the two stood.

Tonya cleaned up the empty sake bottles and placed them neatly back on the tray near a door. She would get it in the morning if they were still there. Too exhausted to worry about it now as the two walked back to Goemon's room. Quietly sneaking in as Tonya shut the door behind them. Goemon quickly turned and grabbed the small girl. Dragging her down to the futon with him, holding her against his chest as he looked up at the girl.

"Are you ok?" Tonya asked as she felt his head.

"A little tipsy, but I'll be fine." He said as he started to stroke her hair. "To think, in a few days you'll be mine."

"Technically, I already am." Tonya corrected as she felt his chest shake from his laughter.

"I mean in every way. I'm half tempted to just take you now instead of waiting for our marriage night." Goemon growled playfully as he easily rolled her over on to her back. "Would you try and stop me if I did?"

"Probably not." She replied as she reached up and kissed him quickly, surprising him a bit. "Because you aren't the only one who can't wait to say that you belong to me and only me. In every way."

Tonya smiled as she reached up and cupped his face as he smiled down at her. Kissing her a couple times before rolling over on to his side. Drawing her close to him as she snuggled into his broad chest. Goemon drew the blankets over them before wrapping his arm back around the tiny girl. Kissing her one last time before he closed his eyes. Figuring that it couldn't hurt to wait a bit longer before he taught her about that kind of loving.

"Goemon…" Tonya whispered as he glanced down at her.

"Yes?" He asked as he felt her lift her head up to look at him.

"I love you." She said softly as he kissed her lips once more.

"I love you too." Goemon said just as softly as the two drifted off into a peaceful sleep. Finally together where they belong.

And that's the end folks! Least for this story lol. I'm still playing with ideas for side stories, but it'll be a while before any of those get out. And since I had quite a few requests for stories of the other ninjas here's what I'll do. If you all have any OC's that you'd like to see paired with the rest of the Ninja Love cast, message me with their name, info, character description, and how you'd like to see them meet. Obviously Goemon is taken, but anyone else is up for grabs. Those that I like the best I will put into a spin off story after this one. The rest I'll make oneshots or do at least two chapters on them. That way no one is left out.

P.S. I am working on a short wedding story for Goemon and Tonya. That will be up in a few weeks or so. So be on the look out for it. Till then I'll see you guys later!