Chapter 19: : Love Hurts and Hope Heals
Disclaimer: For this chapter I have yet again taken the liberties of borrowing from DarkPaladinmon's Green Ranger Shinobi story however this time I did get his permission to do so and you know the rest of the disclaimer how everything involved is owned by Viz Media, DC, Geoff Johns and Masashi Kishimoto not necessarily in that order but in any event let's get to work.
It had been two years since Naruto, Saint Walker and Jiraiya left on their training trip. During the time that passed since then Naruto and Jiraiya had been traveling to just about all of the Ninja lands, even to places Naruto hadn't even known about. Currently they were in Yugakure (Hot springs Village) where Jiriaya was off flirting with women; Saint Walker was looking for a place where he could inspire great hope while Naruto was left to explore the town.
Naruto had just finished some ramen at a local stand, "Ah that definitely hit the spot," he rubbed his stomach before paying for his meal and leaving, "Now what to do? Maybe see if Ero-sennin's finally done with fooling around or I could go try and find Walker-sensei." He said to himself weighing his options.
Suddenly he heard an explosion and he looked down the street seeing some man dressed in a horrendous pink and light purple outfit while piloting a mechanical puppet confronting two women one who was about Naruto's age and wore a beige cloak with the hood up, and a woman in her thirties who had an imposing figure, along with a slender physique and a very angular face framed by short brown hair along with a dark shade of red lipstick. She wore a short, backless, red, full-body suit over mesh armor, along with a pair of arm-length gloves, a long apron skirt opened in the front. She also wore bandages on her wrists, covering all of her right left as well as her left thigh and leg. And strapped to her back was an extremely long and thin katana.
"What's going on?" Naruto asked himself as he watched.
"Don't you ever give up, Kokuyo? The older woman asked the man identified as Kokuyo.
"My business is not with you attendant, I only desire to fight the princess." He motioned to the cloaked girl.
The woman turned to the girl, "Princess there's no need for you to dirty your hands to someone as shameless as him."
The girl approached, "Please Tokiwa, allow me." She approached the robot puppet as Kokuya spoke, "Beautiful as always why don't you just hurry up and become my bride?" he asked piloting the robot to attack.
"I've been promised to someone already." The girl answered throwing off her cloak revealing herself.
This girl had fair-skin sported a noticeably curvaceous frame and large bust. She had green eyes and waist-length black hair in a hime-style tied in a high ponytail with short bangs and chin-length strands framing her face. Behind her bangs was a black forehead protector with the symbol of a flower on it and wore a form-fitting kunoichi uniform that was grey-colored with a right shoulder-armor, grey gloves, and an opening in her shirt which reveals her cleavage which went noticed by Naruto making him blush but shook it off as he watched what happened next.
"Nadeshiko style; Roaring hurricane kick!" she called jumping high into the air delivering a drop kick onto the robot breaking it's windshield and going further breaking the machine in half. This resulted in it exploding and Kokuya was sent blasting off into the air screaming.
The pedestrians were in awe and applauded thinking it was a performance while Naruto stood with an agape jaw, "Wow, that's one serious kick ass kunoichi." He said.
'I'll say, and I thought your mom was wild as a fighter.' Kurama thought.
Suddenly he noticed the two ladies looked in his direction and were focused on his headband, "You there sir!" the woman known as Tokiwa called to Naruto.
The two approached him as Naruto looked confused, "Uh yeah?" He asked.
The two approached Naruto as the older woman continued, "Judging from your headband you are a shinobi from Konohagakure." One of the women said.
"That's right." Naruto answered.
"May I ask you something?" She asked.
"Ask away." Naruto said.
"It's about Jiraiya-sama of the legendary Sannin," she continued making Naruto surprised to hear Jiraiya being mentioned, "Or rather do you know anyone who was ever his student?"
Naruto was surprised wondering if he should answer, but knew if he withheld his answer he wouldn't understand what she wanted with someone trained by Jiraiya, "Well now that you mention it, I'm his student. My name is Naruto Namikaze." Naruto said
The younger girl was surprised at his answered while Tokiwa looked intrigued, "You are, are you?" She asked him again.
"Correct," He answered and noticed the younger girl was blushing a little, "But who're you two and how do you know Ero-sennin?" Naruto asked the older woman.
"I am Tokiwa and this is princess Shizuka," the girl named Shizuka bowed her head in respect as he returned the gesture while Tokiwa continued, "We come from Nadeshiko no Sato (Pink Flower Country)."
"Nadeshiko, isn't that the all kunoichi village?" he asked.
"It is." The woman answered.
"Sounds like Ero-sennin's ideal village. Though why would you be looking for me?"
"Didn't Jiraiya-sama tell you anything?" Tokiwa asked.
"Tell me what?" Naruto asked confused
"Well I guess I'll tell you then," the woman began, "Many years ago Jiraiya-sama had traveled to our village."
"Gee I wonder why." Naruto said in sarcasm.
"Anyway, our former leader who was Shizuka's mother chased Jiraiya until they dueled it out. And the only thing on the line between them was Shizuka's mothers hand in marriage." Tokiwa said.
"I don't like where this is going." Naruto said nervously.
Shizuka spoke, "Our village is matrilineal, only women are born into our line." She explained.
"Say what?" Naruto asked as she continued.
"Our code is that we kunoichi of Nadeshiko only marry men we deem strong enough to be our husbands." Tokiwa explained making Naruto's eybrow arch upward.
"And what does this have to do with me?" He asked.
Tokiwa continued, "Jiraiya-sama and Shizuka's mother fought to the peak of their strengths, but the duel was left unresolved. It was then a compromise was made that if the students of the two should ever meet they would continue the fight with the same price on the line."
"Wait so you mean that?" Naruto was shocked as Shizuka approached him and took his hands into hers.
"Please duel with me Naruto, should you win I will gladly make you my husband." She pleaded.
Naruto stumbled backward falling on his back from the shock and surprised the two women as he got back up, "Hey this is all so sudden, I mean I was just told this. You can't honestly expect me to go along with some promise my master made!" Naruto said trying to find some way out of it.
"Please denying a request to duel would bring shame to our village." Tokiwa reasoned with him.
"Well I'm sorry to disappoint any of you but I already have a girl back home in my village waiting for me." Naruto dismissed them further.
"Please you must do this for Shizuka's sake." Tokiwa pleaded.
Naruto sighed knowing getting rid of them won't be easy and if he tried to make a run for it they would only track him down, "Before I say anything I think it's best Ero-sennin joins us on our conversation," he summoned a shadow clone, "Find Ero-sennin and drag him here by force if you have to!" He ordered it
The clone saluted before heading off as the two ladies watched in amazement, "Shadow clone, impressive." Shizuka admitted.
"One of my trademark moves." Naruto nodded.
Soon the clone returned carrying Jiraiya who was roped and tied up extra tightly, "Naruto this better be important, I was in the middle of some important research when this clone showed up…" he froze noticing the two ladies beside Naruto, "Well what do we have here Naruto? I see you found us both someone to talk to, you make your master so proud." He grinned.
"Ero-sennin!" Naruto growled, "When were you planning on telling me you've arranged a marriage duel?" Naruto asked trying desperately to keep his anger in check.
"What, what're you talking about?" Jiraiya asked playing dumb.
"Don't play stupid with me look at the headbands on these two!" Naruto said as he pointed to their headbands.
Jiraiya noticed the Nadeshiko symbol on the kunoichi's forehead protectors making him remember, "Oh that marriage duel," He chuckled sheepishly but could feel the killer intent radiating off Naruto, "Look give me a chance and I can explain everything." Jiriaya begged.
"Too late!" Naruto answered as he and his clone went postal on Jiraiya while the two women and Saint Walker watched this in turn led to Tokiwa turning to the Astonian.
"I'm sorry but I guess we forgot to ask but who are you?" She asked him.
"I am Saint Bro'dee Walker originally from the planet Astonia." Walker said which lead to the two women to raise their eyebrows.
"You mean that you're an actual alien?" Tokiwa asked him.
"Why of course sister, I've travelled across many galaxies." Walker replied like it was no big deal.
Soon Jiraiya sat beaten to a bloody pulp while Naruto sat beside him, "I'm sorry I just forgot, I didn't think it would actually happen." Jiriaya said
"Even so sensei you realize what you got me into?!" Naruto asked in outrage.
"Please come back to Nadeshiko with us so we can settle this as Jiraiya-sama and my mother wanted us." Shizuka pleaded.
"But we're on a tight schedule aren't we Ero-Sennin?" he eyed his master.
"Now Naruto let's not be rude to the nice girls. Why don't we just join them in their village and work something out?" Jiriaya suggested
"What?!" he shouted but knew he wasn't going to win this argument so he sighed, "Alright we'll join you." Naruto said with reluctance in his voice
"Wonderful, please meet us at the docks in twenty." Tokiwa said as the three men left to pack their things at the hotel.
"Honestly Ero-sennin, do you have any idea the awkward situation you put me in?" Naruto asked
"How many times do I have to apologize?" Jiraiya asked.
"What will baa-chan say when she finds out about this?" Naruto asked the gallant one.
"I would agree with Naruto, Jiriaya you must learn to control your carnal desires more often in the future so you don't pass your mistakes on to the next generation." Saint Walker said.
Naruto still scowled, "Whatever happens in the outcome Ero-sennin, I'm still holding you responsible." He threatened him.
Jiraiya sighed accepting his fate as the two met up with Tokiwa and Shizuka at the docks boarding a boat ride that would take them for Nadeshiko. After a two day ride the group arrived at the Nadeshiko village which was located on two small mountains connected by a bridge while both mountains were surrounded by forests.
"So that's the village huh?" Naruto asked.
"Looks just the same when I was last here." Jiraiya noted.
"You better hope the kunoichi there don't remember you." Naruto warned him as he paled on the possibility.
When the boat docked Shizuka and Tokiwa escorted the group up the mountain to the village. Upon entering they looked around the place seeing numerous kunoichi wearing the same kind of kunoichi attire Shizuka was wearing and what Jiraiya and Naruto were more focused on were their rack sizes that was comparable to Shizuka's. Most of the kunoichi paused and stared at the guests accompanying their leader eyeing Naruto, and Jiraiya being men and all.
When they reached Shizuka's palace the princess herself turned to her attendant, "See that our guests are properly welcomed here, and make arrangements for tomorrow's match."
"At once my lady." Tokiwa nodded.
Soon Tokiwa had shown the men to their rooms where they got settled in, and within the hour it was dinner time with Naruto and Jiraiya sitting with Shizuka and Tokiwa at a dinner table with a wide spread of food.
"Wow this sure looks good." Naruto admitted.
"Eat up." Shizuka beckoned them and so both Naruto and Jiraiya chowed down while Tokiwa, Saint Walker, and Shizuka ate regularly.
After dinner Naruto was sitting out on a balcony in thought, 'I can't believe this tomorrow I'm fighting against a kunoichi for marriage.' He said to himself
'I know how lucky can ya get?' Kurama thought.
'Focus Kurama, because if Naruto wins he's going to have to marry her, and if he loses… Actually I'd rather not even think about the consequences if it goes that far.' Adara said.
'Would marrying her be so bad to you?' Kurama asked.
'It's not that I don't like her believe me I won't deny she's hot. But I barely know her, and I have Sakura." Naruto tried to explain to Kurama while Adara sympathized with his torchbearer
'So add a second one to your list it's not like it'll kill you.' Kurama said.
'Maybe it won't but Sakura would!' Naruto answered back.
'I see your point, but come on you've always been risky in chances.' Kurama asked.
'I'd rather not be risky for something like this. I'm not that stupid.' Naruto replied bluntly.
Suddenly he was broken out of his thoughts by Tokiwa, "Naruto?" She asked.
Naruto jumped before looking up at the woman, "Oh Tokiwa, I didn't hear you there." He said.
"I sense you are distressed." She said as she took a seat next to him.
"I'm way past distressed. When I woke up this morning I wasn't counting on an arranged marriage proposal as a result of something my master promised years ago." Naruto said exasperated beyond belief.
"I know it's so sudden, but I should tell you this is more than just about the promise between yours and Shizuka's masters, but to restore Shizuka's belief in love." She explained.
"Huh?" the blonde was confused.
"Perhaps I ought to explain why Shizuka trains so hard," she began, "You see she's always despised how our village upholds the tradition of making men our husbands by proving themselves, and many years ago she was in love with a merchant named Sagiri but due to our village customs was forbidden. One day Sagiri was killed and Shizuka resigned never to love again. Since then she's done nothing but train herself so that she would be stronger and never lose someone dearest to her again. Personally I believe she is only punishing herself."
Naruto finally hearing this about Shizuka could only sympathize with her, "So that's it."
"Yes, I'm hoping you fighting her would be able to help her love again and not close herself off." Tokiwa pleaded.
Naruto started processing all this about Shizuka having originally thought this was all just about a promise made years ago realized it was much more. He smiled before speaking, "Alright then, I'll be ready for tomorrow." Naruto said.
"Really?" the woman asked surprised at his change in behavior.
"Yeah when it comes to changing people's outlooks I've been known to be a natural at it." Naruto smiled recalling past experiences with Inari, Gaara, and Tsunade.
"I thank you Naruto Uzumaki, you have no idea how much this will mean for me and Shizuka's mother."
"Don't mention it." He smiled.
When morning came all the kunoichi in the village were gathered inside an arena similar to the Chunin exam stadium in terms of size and space. Jiraiya was given a box seat giving him a good view of the arena. In the stands were just about all the kunoichi in Nadeshiko. On the field stood Naruto and Shizuka warming up until Tokiwa walked onto the field.
"Welcome kunoichi of Nadeshiko to the event you've all been waiting for. Today we bare witness on the long awaited match between our late ruler's daughter Shizuka," Tokiwa began as the crowd of kunoichi cheered her on, "And her challenger the student of the legendary Jiraiya-sama all the way from Konohagakure Naruto Namikaze!"
Naruto was given boos from the ladies but he couldn't blame them since he had yet to prove himself to Shizuka or anyone, but he heard cheers of support from Jiraiya and Saint Walker.
"Let the match begin!" Tokiwa called as she stepped away for the fighters to go at it.
"Prepare yourself Naruto!" Shizuka called as she ran forward, "Nadeshiko style; Roaring gale chop!" she called as her right hand glowed with wind chakra and was thrusted forward.
Naruto jumped back avoiding her strike but felt the ground below them shake as fissures erupted on the ground Shizuka stood on. 'Wow she's good, but I can't take chances.' He drew a kunai. He looked up seeing her jump above him holding multiple kunai, "Nadeshiko style: Aerial dance!" Shizuka called out.
She threw the barrage of kunai that proved to have deadly accuracy. Naruto kept dodging them all using all his martial arts moves he's learned and new moves he taught himself.
"Wow her mom taught her well." Jiraiya admitted to himself.
Naruto kept dodging the kunai until he summoned three shadow clones that jumped at Shizuka using their kunai to fight against her only for Shizuka to spin kick all three with the two clones dispelling while Naruto landed onto the ground on his feet along with the girl herself.
"How was that for ya?" Naruto asked.
"You are strong indeed Naruto, but I'm not finished, spinning waltz!" Shizuka jumped into the air spinning like a top launching needles all around.
"Oh jeez not that's not going to feel good!" Naruto gasped as he summoned multiple clones to shield himself taking the blows forcing them to dispel leaving the real one unharmed, "Jeez I was almost a pincushion." He said to himself as he spotted Shizuka preparing another jutsu.
"Well you're not out of the woods yet; gale fan!" Shizuka called using her wind chakra to expel a large breath of wind forcing Naruto back but he crashed on the ground and Shizuka landed on top of him holding a kunai to his throat, "This is over." She declared.
"Naruto you fool." Jiraiya gasped.
Naruto only smirked, "I agree." He suddenly poofed away, surprising the Nadeshiko kunoichi, Tokiwa, and Jiraiya.
"What?!" Shizuka gasped until she felt a kunai to the back of her neck. She glanced seeing Naruto behind her, "How?" she was confused until she saw a hole behind her Naruto was standing above. "I see, while you were being shielded by your clones you buried into the earth leaving a spare clone in your place."
"That's right." Naruto nodded.
Shizuka sighed, "No one's ever gotten behind me before. Go ahead deliver the final blow."
Naruto scowled as he lowered his kunai and stood down surprising Shizuka and her fellow village kunoichi, "I have no reason to finish you."
"But our duel!" she reminded him.
"It would prove nothing if I finished you off, because I bare nothing against you or this village. But the thing is, I don't live by your village rules. I'd marry for love not by force."
"Love?" Shizuka asked but before anyone could respond there was a crash in the arena putting all kunoichi on guard. Entering onto the arena was Kokuya with dozens and dozens of his mechanical puppets contraptions.
"This again?" Tokiwa growled.
"I knew I'd find you back here." Kokuya smirked.
Shizuka frowned, "You're butting in on our private matter!" She said.
"So sorry but I came here with one thing in mind, to make you my bride and I will do it by force!" He declared as his puppets started swarming into the arena.
Naruto frowned, "This guy is too persistent, and badly dressed to." He said to himself.
"All Nadeshiko kunoichi defend Lady Shizuka!" Tokiwa ordered as they all piled into the arena and started fighting Kokuya's puppets.
Naruto decided to also join in on the action but had to slip into something else. Quickly he summoned a shadow clone to stand in while he went into a blind spot and took out his lantern battery, "I think it's time the reputation of the Lantern Corps or at least one of them to spread to Nadeshiko." He said as he stuck his ring in the lantern and said the oath of his corps; "In fearful day,
In raging night, with strong hearts full our souls ignite.
When all seems lost in the war of light, look to the stars
For Hope Burns Bright!" Naruto shouted
Soon Naruto's clone had gotten to Shizuka who was ready to face one of the puppets until Blue Lantern swung in swiping it with a sword construct from his ring as it blew up. The two saw the lantern land before them, "You two ok?" The lantern asked.
"Blue Lantern, aren't you a sight for sore eyes." Naruto's clone said acting relieved.
"Blue Lantern?" Shizuka asked until she realized that title, "So this is the blue warrior the ninja lands have talked about. A member of the ninja land's renowned Lantern Corps." Shizuka said
"Well glad to see you kunoichi here know about us as well. Now what do you say we show this slob what happens when you meddle in others affairs." Blue Lantern got into a stance with Shizuka and Naruto's clone as they all went at it with the puppet army.
Jiraiya formed some hand signs, "Doton: Yomi Numa (Earth style: Swamp of the Underworld)!" with that a swamp appeared below various puppets pulling them in destroying them.
Soon just about all of the puppets were destroyed by the Nadeshiko kunoichi leaving only the main mechanical puppet Kokuya was piloting. "Naruto on my go, be ready!" Blue Lantern ordered the fake Naruto. The fake nodded as Blue Lantern crossed his weapons firing his blast at the puppet destroying it making Kokuya fall to the ground, "Go!" the lantern ordered.
Naruto's shadow clone had been in fact charging up a Rasengan in his palm but this Rasengan was instead the size of a basketball. He ran at Kokuya ready to shove it, "Try my latest jutsu, Oodama Rasengan (Big Ball Spiral Sphere)!" he said as he thrusted it into the man's chest sending him blasting off into the sky with a ping.
The Nadeshiko kunoichi cheered in victory while Jiraiya smirked as his disguised student and clone pounded it. Shizuka approached Blue Lantern with Tokiwa, "We thank you kindly for your help Blue Lanterns. How can we ever repay you?"
"I only wish I could do more miss but always remember that there is always hope for young Shizuka." He said, "Well I must go now." He teleported away when really he teleported back to a blind spot and used substituted with his clone that dispelled.
"I'm sorry the duel has been cut short my lady." Tokiwa apologized.
Shizuka held up a hand to silence her, "What's done is done Tokiwa, besides I already know the victor of this match. He's proven himself worthy to me," she looked at Naruto before announcing, "Naruto Namikaze is the winner!"
Before anyone could respond Naruto spoke, "I didn't win because of my strength in jutsu and all. It's because I had something to fight for." Naruto explained
"And that was?" Shizuka asked.
"To bring you back to your senses," He answered confusing her, "It's painful to lose somebody you love I can tell, but training yourself like crazy to protect those you care about can only get you so much, but unless you are able to love then it'll be harder to protect those who mean something to you the battle you fight will be hopeless. Truth is if I was to marry I would ant it to be because the woman loves me for who I am not because of my status as hero, my name, or even a law, the fact is I feel that I'm not the one meant for you Shizuka I've loved my teammate Sakura for many years and she in turn loves me, I'm sorry." Naruto concluded.
Shizuka was surprised at his choice of words while remembering Sagiri and how much he meant to her. And this boy who she was promised to one day face in battle defeated her claiming that he won because he was trying to help her regain a sense of hope and learn to love again. She could only smile and shed a tear, "Naruto, arigato." She whispered.
Suddenly the kunoichi and Tokiwa applauded for the two while Jiraiya kicked back smiling on a job well done, while Saint Walker simply nodded at his pupil's choice of words. Later that night Naruto was once again sitting on his balcony looking up at the night as Shizuka approached, "How are your injuries?" She asked.
"Not bad, I heal quickly. What about you?" Naruto asked back.
"I'm fine." Shizuka replied
"That's good." Naruto said with a smile.
"Naruto can I ask you something?" Shizuka said.
"Shoot." Naruto answered back.
"Are you the Blue Lantern?" she asked bluntly making Naruto jump.
"What?" Naruto asked her.
"Are you the Blue Lantern?" she repeated.
"Shizuka, how can I be the Blue Lantern when I was right there beside you when he arrived?" Naruto asked
Shizuka stared at him with a look that said he wasn't fooling her, "Call it woman's intuition, and I know you could've swapped yourself with one of your clones to cover. Talk to me Naruto I won't tell anyone." She explained.
Naruto seeing she wasn't going to let it go and he had no other way out decided to come clean, "Yes Shizuka I am as you believe I am." Naruto said honestly.
"How did you acquire such a power?" Shizuka asked
"My tale is complicated, but you'll have to hear everything from the beginning of my life." Naruto explained.
Shizuka listened in as Naruto told Shizuka his past ranging from his birth to how he became a ninja up to how he ended up being enlisted in the Blue Lantern Corps, had Saint Walker to aid him in that regard, and all he's dealt with up until now.
"I had no idea well about the former part of your life anyway, Tokiwa had talked to Saint Walker the other day while you were busy beating up Jiriaya." Shizuka gasped.
"Well it's all true, the stuff I said about Kurama and Walker sensei is legit." Naruto assured her.
"What a horrible life you endured." Shizuka was saddened.
"Yeah, but that's all in the past. I've proven to everyone I'm not just some jail cell for a demon, but I'm a ninja who will gladly lay my life on the line for my village as any dedicated ninja would because I know in the end all will be well." Naruto said.
"That's very noble of you Naruto." She admitted.
"Which is why I must ask you to not tell anyone not even Tokiwa, in fact when I get back Tsunade baa-chan is going to give me a good talking to even more than Sakura will when they find out I was almost engaged to you." Naruto said with a shiver running down his spine.
Shizuka nodded knowing their arranged marriage had put him in a pickle with another girl he had been seeing but smiled, "Tell you what I'll help you write a letter to them and your Hokage explaining the situation and take full responsibility for this and in return I can wait until you're ready to give the engagement a shot." Shizuka said with smile.
"Are you sure?" Naruto asked.
"Yes you've trusted me with your secret, so I shall help you in return." Shizuka nodded.
Naruto smiled, "Thanks Shizuka, but we're gonna have Ero-sennin join us in writing this letter, he is still to blame for his recklessness that happened years ago. Still if not for that promise I never would've met you." Naruto said first with a bit of anger at Jiriaya but then relief at what he had done for Shizuka.
"Likewise." Shizuka nodded.
The two smiled as they gazed into each other's eyes, "May you have a wonderful life with Sakura-san Naruto" Shizuka said as the two enveloped each other in a compassionate and hopeful embrace of friendship that lasted for five minutes due to both being so caught up in the warm sensation, especially Shizuka who had been closing off her feeling of love for years finally beginning to feel what it was like to love again.
The next day Naruto, Shizuka, and Jiraiya wrote a letter to Tsunade and Sakura about what happened with them. They sent it via Jiraiya's messenger toad and soon enough got a response from Tsunade. In the letter Tsunade was bashing Jiraiya for his stupidity as always along with guilt Naruto put on him. Naruto got duel responses, while Sakura wrote that she would talk to him about this when he got back home.
Soon it was two days afterwards as Jiraiya, Naruto, and Saint Walker stood before Tokiwa and Shizuka ready to depart, "We'll miss you." her attendant said to Naruto.
"So will I Tokiwa, Shizuka and I will always be friends and Shizuka don't worry just hold out hope that one day another like myself comes along but will be the one who is the one for you, but we'll always be friends. Take care of yourself and the village." Naruto said.
"You can count on me," Shizuka said as the two embraced and Tokiwa turned to Naruto, "I thank you for everything you've done for her Naruto-sama." Tokiwa said
"Your welcome and remember all will be well." Naruto replied.
"Well you we better get going." Jiraiya reminded Naruto as he nodded and followed the old man heading out once again. While Saint Walker turned to the two with a smile.
"I am grateful for the hospitality you have shown us as for you lady Shizuka here." Walker said forming an arc with his ring spawning a new ring from the light. "Just in case farewell sisters." He said dropping the ring into Shizuka's hand.
Tokiwa watched three men leave and smiled while Shizuka headed back to the village with her head held high with hope in her heart for the day to come when she too would find someone to love, 'Your mother would be proud Shizuka.' she thought to herself.
A/N: Threw you poozers a curveball didn't I? Hey I may copycat certain chapters every now and again but I was trying to come up with a way of doing this chapter in way where Naruto turns down the marriage proposal but does it in a way that is more encouraging to Shizuka than discouraging well until next time read and review.