A/N - Surprise! Another chapter update. So, I was just thinking about the long break I wanted to take but decided against it cause I couldn't imagine not writing this story for the next few months. I love it too much to let it go despite how cringey and embarrassing it be to write this lol but I know a lot of you love it so I'll be trying my best to update as much as I can.

I can't promise that I'll update every week, but I'll try to update when I can. Anyway, here's the chapter. Please comment and vote and enjoy ❤️

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Chapter 54: The Last Moment

"You need some rest, Nia," Naruto laid the girl on a futon as he pulled the sheets over her. "You're in no condition to be up and about."

"But... your friend, Sas-" Nia weakly lifted her head from the pillow.

"Don't you even worry about it. We'll be able to solve the riddle ourselves. You really just need to focus on putting your mind at ease."

"But Baby..."

"Nia," Naruto's voice became stern. "I'm serious, rest up. I'm dead serious when I say there may be a chance you could be pregnant with our baby."

"Y-You really think-"

Naruto nodded and rested a hand on her belly over the sheets.

"The symptoms you've been having are like that of a pregnant woman, right? For all we know, you could be in the beginning stages of it. Besides, lately I've noticed your belly has been getting a little bigger day by day. It could be that you're fat, but- gyah!"

Nia smacked him, but not hard enough to truly hurt him.

"Don't call me fat, Naruto! Say that again and I won't spread my legs for you anytime soon," She warned him.

"Whaaaat?! Wait, no. I take it back! I take it back! You're beautiful! You're beautiful!"

"Hmph!" The girl plopped back down to her pillow.

Naruto frowned, rubbing his slightly red cheek.

"That kinda hurt, ya know..."

"Well you can be incredibly insensitive sometimes."

"Geez, I'm sorry, okay?"

Nia's face softened.

"Just... think a bit more before you blurt things out. That mouth of yours can get you into some real trouble."

"Yeah... I get it, I get it."

"Anyways, you really should let me take a peek at that riddle you're hiding from me."

"No way. You're not looking at anything in your condition."

Nia slowly sat up.

"Oh, c'mon, baby. Let me take a look. It's the whole reason I was sent on this mission."

"But sweetie, you're not feeling well."

"That doesn't- ah!" Nia squeezed her eyes shut as her head throbbed.

"Nia!" Naruto worriedly placed his hands on her shoulders.

"M-My head... It hurts."

The genin quickly rested his hand on her forehead.

"You're burning up! You need to hurry and lie down."

Nia heavily panted as Naruto laid her down again, softly placing her head onto the pillow. Next to him was a cold bucket of water with a rag in it. He took that rag and wringed it, next folding it and resting it across the girl's forehead.

"You have a fever so please stop worrying about this riddle and focus on getting better," The blond then squeezed her hand.

"N-Naruto, don't... don't be worried about me. I'll be just fine," Nia breathed, making eye contact and giving a weak smile.

"Just... keep quiet. You shouldn't be talking right now. Get some rest. Please, Nia."

Nia winced, causing Naruto to tighten his hold on her hand in concern.

"Nia..." His heart ached as he heard her gasping for air.

"B-Baby..." She whimpered.

"I'm right here," He reassured her. "I ain't going anywhere."

A few moments later, Nia's panting would settle down. Naruto's hold on her hand lightened.

"How are you feeling?" He questioned.

"The rag sorta helps with my head, but it keeps getting warm again. I need it cold."

"Leave it to me. I'll dip it into this bucket whenever that happens, Kay?"

"T-Thank you..."

"How's your stomach feel? You still nauseous?"

Nia nodded.

"Y-Yes... Maybe... you can rub it for me?"

"Huh? You sure that won't make it worse?"

"I don't know if it will... but it's worth trying."

"Okay, but I'll have to remove the covers a little."

"That's fine."

Doing just that, Naruto moved the blanket over a little. Once he did, he reached for Nia's shirt and pulled it over her stomach.

He stared at it.

"Guh, it's no use," He dropped his head in defeat. "I can't tell if you're pregnant or not, ya know?"

Placing his hand atop her exposed belly anyway, Naruto gently rubbed it. His touch ran across the smoothness of her skin. Nia blushed as he gazed at her stomach.

"I swear... I can feel a bump here," He claimed, stationing his hand at one spot.

"What? Stop it," Nia gasped and looked down. "You're just trying to scare me."

"No, I'm serious. Feel it. It's right here," He took her hand and rested it on the area.

Immediately, Nia's eyes widened and she sat up.

"Oh no, baby, I'm scared,"  Tears welled up in her eyes.

Immediately, Naruto turned her over to face him then embraced her.

"It's okay, Nia. It's okay," He reassured her. "There's nothing to be scared of."

"I want a medic right now to tell me if I'm pregnant or not! Get Sakura, baby."

"No," He told her. "We can find out later. Right now you need to go to sleep."

"Naruto, I wanna know! I wanna knoooow!" The girl panicked.

"Nia, stop."

"But baby-"

Placing his hands on her shoulders, Naruto pressed her back to the futon and once more pulled the covers over her.

"There... just like that. Lay down and relax."

"Naruto..." Nia whimpered.

The genin kissed her cheek.

"Your mission is to get better for now, okay?"

"But I'm worried... our baby..."

"We don't know if you're for sure pregnant so let's try and not worry. For all we know, that could've just been some stomach fat."

"Naruto, I don't know..."

The blond sighed and laid next to the girl.

"I love you," He told her, not breaking eye contact.

"I love you too," This caused the girl to smile a bit.

"If this is our baby then... I'll need to hurry up and deliver up on my promises, ya know?"

"And that's exactly what I'm trying to help you do," Nia replied. "I'm trying to help you find Sasuke but you won't let me take a look at that riddle he left behind."

"Nia, you have a fever..."

"I know, but... I can still... be of help to you."

"For the last time... Not in your condition."

Nia pouted.

"Don't give that look, sweetie. I'm just trying to make sure you recover just fine."

"It's just... I feel completely useless..." The girl shared.

"Nia, don't say that... You're not useless."

"But... I can never seem to help you and when I do, it's only for small things..."

"It's the thought that matters and even if you help with small things, your efforts are still appreciated."

"Honeybun..."

"The biggest help you can give me right now is resting up. I want you to be healthy by the time we leave," Naruto said.

With that, the blond pushed back at her hair affectionately.

"You're extremely important, Nia. I need for you to be okay first and foremost."

"But Sasuke... You're gonna lose track of him... cause of me."

"That's not going to happen..."

Nia lowered her eyes.

"I wish... there was just some way I could help you."

"By getting rest, Nia... I already told you."

The girl whimpered.

Naruto grabbed her rag and dipped it into the bucket again. Wringing it out, he then set it back atop her forehead.

"Thanks for... taking care of me," Nia showed her gratitude.

"No problem. You're always caring for me, so it's about time I do something for you, ya know?"

"Are... you sure you don't want to be out there trying to solve the riddle with the others?"

"Nah, that whole thing made my brain hurt. I'm surprised Sasuke could make up one hell of a riddle. Well actually... He is a genius after all, so maybe that isn't so surprising."

"Ohhhh, that just makes me wanna decipher it so badly."

Naruto chuckled.

"I'm sure you'd be able to figure it out if we show it to you, but you don't need that stress put on you right now."

Again, the kunoichi pouted.

"Nia, you can be so cute when you wanna help out."

This only made her cheeks warm.

"You never fail to be there for me when I need you. Especially, with what just happened with Pervy Sage. You were able to put my mind at ease."

"I could... never leave you feeling down. It ruins my day also. If there's anyone that deserves to be happy, it's you."

"I don't... ever wanna lose you," Naruto expressed, running a finger down Nia's cheek.

"You had a panic attack in the Hokage's office. I feel awful that you worry over me so much."

"..."

"Naruto?" Nia turned her head weakly.

"Huh?"

"Tell me the truth: You think... I'm weak, don't you?"

"What? Of course I don't think you're weak, ya know!"

"Then why is it? Why is it that you always seem to dread over me fighting?"

"It's cause... I just don't want to see you get hurt."

"But I can handle myself just fi-"

"No!" Naruto interrupted. "No more. I don't want to see you fight any longer!"

Nia stayed quiet.

"Listen Nia... We've talked about this already. It's not that you're weak... it's just... I'm too sensitive when it comes to you. When I see someone trying to hurt you, I just... snap. It doesn't matter if you're winning or losing, just the fact that they're trying to take you away from me is enough to make my blood boil."

"Baby..."

"I don't care if you see me as overly protective. My main job is to make sure you're safe and sound, ya know..."

Nia nodded.

Naruto brushed his thumb across her cheek.

"This moment right here... These moments I've gotten to spend with you ever since that blood transfusion incident have been absolute bliss."

The girl locked eyes with him as a warm smile played on her boyfriend's face.

"Never again... Never again do I ever wanna hold your limp body in my arms..." He told her. "Never again do I ever wanna feel the warmth of your body leave you just like that."

"Naruto..."

"You shouldn't... even be here with me right now and yet... here you are."

"I should be here... That's why I'm still alive," Nia raised her right hand and stared at the kanji written on it. "I guess... fate let me live that day. I don't know..."

She then closed her eyes and sighed.

"Besides, there were lots of other times I should've died but lived. You already know about it though."

Naruto lowered his eyes.

"Tell me something... there's something I wanna know."

"Is it something important?"

"Well... ya."

Nia focused on him.

"I wanna know... about your first heartbreak," The blond said.

Nia only raised a brow.

"My first heartbreak? That's kinda off topic, don't you think?"

"Yeah... but I feel like I never really gotten the chance to ask you about it. I just... wanna know."

"Well... there isn't much to say. It wouldn't make sense to you and... it happened a loooong time ago."

"I don't care... You told me a bit about it already, remember? Back when we first met? You were all crying over it and I had went to comfort you."

"Yeah, I remember.... that was nearly two years ago though. I'm surprised you remember..."

"I remember it alright... I just wanted to know..." Naruto narrowed his eyes. "And tell me the truth: do you still think about it?"

"Why're you getting so tense all of a sudden?"

"It's just... I wanna know if you still think about... that guy..."

"Akihiko? I already said I don't-"

"No. The other one you told me about. The one that broke your heart."

"Ohhhh."

"Yeah..."

"Um... not really."

Naruto frowned.

"What's that look for? I don't really think about him."

"What's that supposed to mean?!" The genin growled, a vein about to burst from his temple.

Nia sweatdropped.

"D-Did I say something wrong?"

"Not really?" Naruto clenched his trembling fist, squeezed his eyes shut, and gritted his teeth. "You don't really think about him?!"

"Ya. I don't really think about him."

"That means you do think about him!"

"What?" Nia was confused.

"When you say you don't really, that means you do a little bit."

'Oh great' Nia mentally slapped herself. 'I knew i'd say something stupid...'

"You're getting the wrong idea," She told the blond. "It's not like that."

"Oh really?" Naruto didn't believe her.

The girl sighed.

Ugh... I might as well pretend I'm dying so I don't have to talk about this. I gotta keep this relationship going. I can't afford to break up and lose him to Hinata.

"Ohhhh my poor aching head," She put on a dramatic act, resting a hand on her forehead. "It's killing me. I need sleep. A lot of sl-"

"Stop with the crap, Nia! You're not fooling anyone with that, ya know!" This only angered the genin.

Nia wanted to roll her eyes.

Well that was a fail.

"Is there something you're not telling me?!"

Nia frowned.

"No."

"Then why're you acting so suspicious?! Like you're hiding something?!"

"I'm not hiding anything."

"I don't believe you."

"...Kay."

Naruto snapped.

"Don't just "...Kay" me! I want answers! Do you still think about this guy or not?!"

"You're freaking out for no reason..."

"Nia, I'm serious!"

"I love you, okay? There."

Naruto glared at her.

"That's not what I'm asking, ya know."

"..." Nia kept quiet.

Naruto groaned.

"It's just a quest-"

"Sometimes..."

Naruto paused.

"Sometimes..." Nia repeated softly. "That's... the truth. The absolute truth."

"W-Why you..." Naruto's blood boiled as he felt a stab in his heart. "I... I knew it. I should've known I wasn't the only-"

"It's... not in the way you think it is though..."

"I don't care! You still admitted to thinking of another guy!"

"Yeah, but it's not in a "I like him" or "I miss him" kind of way!"

"Of course it has to be! What else could it possibly be?!"

Nia thought about it for a moment.

"I'm... not too sure. I don't know how to explain. All I know is that I definitely don't still have feelings!"

"Yeah, right..." Naruto mumbled, his arms crossed and eyebrows furrowed. "You never forget the first love..."

"Then I can snap back at you with Sakura. You must still think of her, right?!"

"What?! No. I don't have feelings for her anymore."

"But you still think back at the feelings you once had for her once in a while, right?"

"Well... ya," Naruto told the truth. "I do find myself thinking back on it from time to time."

"In that same way, that's how I think about that guy. I reflect back on the feelings I once had for him. Not really him."

The genin frowned. "I'm still not buying it."

"Well, it's the truth..."

Naruto narrowed his eyes at the girl.

"Ya, but you really do seem suspicious."

"Or maybe you're just jealous..." Nia countered.

"What you say?! I'm not jealous!"

"Well then stop making such a big deal out of it and I wouldn't assume that you are."

"And besides..." The girl pouted. "Enough about me. Let's talk about you and Hinata!"

"Me and Hinata?!" Naruto was baffled.

"Ya," Nia was determined to get answers out of the genin. "You better start talking right now. Have you been going behind my back giving this girl hope that you'll be with her one day?"

"What the?! I don't even talk to Hinata! Where the hell is all of this coming from?!"

"You must talk to her enough... stop lying."

"I barely talk to her, Nia. Hinata is only a good friend of mine."

"How is she a good friend of yours if you claim you barely talk to her? You two should be strangers then."

"We're not strangers, sweetie. I just don't really get the chance to talk to her. Besides, when I do, she acts all weird and strange. She can never hold a conversation with me without fainting for some reason."

Nia frowned.

"Then why does she think she can just steal you away from me?!"

"Woooah... what... are you talking about?"

Nia lowered her eyes.

"Nia... what's wrong?" Naruto rested a hand on her hand.

"Do you think Hinata's pretty?" Nia eyed him.

"I mean... she's not ugly." He answered.

"But do you think she's pretty?"

"Uhh..."

"Just tell me the truth, Naruto."

"She's just kinda bland, to be honest. She's kinda pretty, I guess."

Nia rolled her eyes.

"So you are attracted to her..."

"Sure, but I think you're cuter, sweetie."

"No you don't," Nia didn't believe him.

"It's true," He stroked her cheek. "I think you're beautiful."

"Yeah, but I bet you like Hinata more..."

Naruto sweatdropped.

"If I liked Hinata that much, I would've asked her out by now, don't you think?"

"Well... I guess."

"It makes sense why you would be jealous of Sakura, but Hinata? I barely know her."

Hearing this relieved Nia somewhat.

"Sweetheart, there's no need for you to be jealous of anyone. You're the one I chose to live the rest of my life with."

"Oh Naruto..." This made the girl grin from ear to ear.

"And I guess I have no one to be jealous of either cause you love me and only me, right?"

"That's right," Nia nodded. "Only my hero."

"GREAT!" Someone from the next room, said. "NOW STOP FIGHTING AND HAVE SEX! I BET THAT WOULD MAKE YOU TWO FEEL BETTER!"

"WHAT THE?!" Naruto's face went red as he threw something at the wall. "Why the hell are you listening to our conversation and what kind of suggestion was that?!"

There was no reply.

"Man," He was embarrassed. "Talk about being nosey."

Nia gave a small giggle.

"He's right though. All this arguing isn't doing us good."

"Yeah, but it was necessary. Now I feel even closer to you."

"I feel closer to you too..."

"Buuut seriously, you don't still like that guy right?"

"No, Naruto. I only like you..." Nia sweatdropped.

The blond breathed a sigh of relief.

"Oh, thank goodness... I was gonna say..."

"On second thought-"

"NIA!"

"I'm just joking ahaha," The kunoichi laughed.

"You almost gave me a heart attack, ya know..."

"I don't think there's a single person in this world that could stop me from wanting to be with you..." She admitted. "If I couldn't have you for whatever reason... then I'd wanna be with someone who reminds me of you in some way. Even just slightly."

"Hm?"

"My hero is the one that I truly like. Even if you didn't like me, I would still like you. Even if you hated me, I would still like you."

"Nia..." The ninja breathed.

Nia reddened and lowered her eyes timidly, a small smile played on her lips.

"I only want my hero and if I can't have him, then I wanna die alone."

"You can't really mean that, sweetie."

"Well I do," Nia told the truth. "I would only want to be with someone that reminds me of you..."

"Well you would be in luck. There are plenty of blonds with blue eyes around."

Nia sweatdropped.

"I didn't... mean your appearance, though that would be nice too."

"Then what did you mean?"

"I'm talking about your morals and personality, silly," Nia playfully shoved his arm. "I would want someone with a similar personality as yours... It doesn't have to be exactly the same, but similar. Enough to make me think of you."

"Uhhh..." Naruto scratched his cheek.

"What?"

"Don't you think... that's kind of sad for whoever it is you're with?"

"How would it be sad?"

"Well... you'll only be with them cause they remind you of me... You'd be in love with me... and not really them."

"That's not true," Nia disagreed. "I would still be able to love them for them. Not because they remind me of you."

"I don't know, Nia... If I was the guy with you and you were only with me cause I reminded you of another guy, I'd be pretty hurt."

"That's cause you're thinking too deeply about it. It's really not a big deal."

"So if I were to say I was only with you cause you remind me of Sakura, you wouldn't be hurt?" The blond countered.

Nia pouted.

"I mean..."

"Exactly. It's hurtful."

Nia crossed her arms.

"Well, thats just how it is. If I can't be with someone like you, then I don't wanna be with anyone at all!"

"Have fun being single then."

"Naruto," Nia lightly smacked his arm.

"I'm just joking," He laughed. "Who knows? Maybe you would find a guy that won't mind it and isn't so threatened and sensitive by it. I don't know..."

"Well, that would be great. As long as we both understand that I have a hero already."

"What if... he would want to be your hero though?"

"Well, it would have already been too late, right? They weren't the one to put a smile on my face during the darkest days of my life nor was the one that made me decide against taking my own life when I was the most depressed I'd ever been in my life."

"I see..."

"It sounds... messed up, but... that's just how it is. The only time I could see another guy being my hero is if I were to slip into a deep depression again and he helped me through it or if he put his life on the line for me."

Nia scooted closer to the genin.

"I just love you, Naruto..."

"Yeah, I hear you, sweetie. Your hero loves you too."

"Does he really?"

"Yes, sweetie," He kissed her forehead after removing the rag from it. "Now tell me... Is talking making you feel worse?"

"Not at all. In fact, hearing your voice and seeing your face is making the ache and nausea go away..."

"AWWW! YOU GUYS ARE SO CUTE! I CAN'T TAKE IT!" Another random voice squealed from the other room. It belonged to that of a young teen girl.

"GYAH!" This only embarrassed Naruto as he sat up. "Just how thin are these damn walls?!"

Nia only reddened.

"Stop listening to our conversation, dammit!" The blond yelled.

"But you guys are just talking about some juicy things!" The voice replied back.

"That's none of your business, ya know!"

"Well quit talking so loud and we wouldn't eavesdrop. What I wanna know is who's this chick that's trying to split you two up?! Hinata was her name, right?"

"Don't you villainize Hinata like that! She would never-"

"Yeah she would," Nia interrupted. "She would try and break us up!"

"Nia, how could you say that?!"

"Because it's true. You need to tell her to leave us alone."

"What?"

"Shes trying to come in between us, Naruto. She's trying to destroy our bond."

"Hinata would never do such a thing though. She respects our relationship and wouldn't do a thing to break us up."

"She would do anything to take you away from me," Nia responded as she sat up and looked the genin in the eye. "She's scheming and you need to tell her to stop."

"Nia, why're you saying things like this? Explain. What's been going on between you and Hinata?"

Nia opened her mouth, ready to explain. It was going to be a long story.

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A/N - Finished! Hope you guys enjoyed that. Like I said, I'll be doing my best to post as often as I can despite my schedule! Please remember to comment and vote and have a great rest of your day ❤️

QOTD:

1. Fave Part?

2. Fave Line?

3. How in love would you say Naruto is in with Nia? :3