A/N - HAPPY NEW YEARS 🎊🎊🎊
2021 is FINALLY here. I really hope you guys are enjoying your day and can you believe it? It's been FIVE years EXACTLY since I posted my first chapter in this book with 0 reads and now it's at 390k, almost 400k, reads! I'm very, very grateful to you all and to celebrate the anniversary and the new year, I've made a bonus chàpter I know a lot of you will love and appreciate.

This takes places after the events of Chapter 87, and right after the last bonus chapter.

Please remember to comment and vote and enjoy ❤️

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BONUS CHAPTER #21: Naruto's Love 💕

'Our relationship... it's NOT based on sex!' Nia felt bothered as her and Naruto were waiting to get their ice cream cones.

Once they did, Naruto handed her's to her.

'It's much more than that...' She thought as she grabbed her cone and gazed at the blond. 'Our relationship is filled with love. We love eachother immensely!'

The two went to sit at a small circular table, opposite of one another as there was a large window next to them viewing the streets of Konoha.

For some time, Nia listened as Naruto talked about the latest mission he had went on. Though she heard everything he said, her mind was elsewhere.

"All you two ever do is pound the living daylights out of eachother."

"You don't have a good relationship."

Nia couldn't get Ino's words out of her head. Again, they were bothering her.

"I totally kicked their butts and- uh..." Naruto then noticed something. "Nia?"

"Huh?" The girl snapped out of her thoughts.

"Your ice cream... Aren't you gonna eat it? It's melting..."

"O-Oh right," Nia felt a bit of the dessert on her hand and used a napkin to wipe it off before licking her vanilla cone with chocolate chips and m&ms on it.

Naruto raised an eyebrow. Nia noticed this.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" She questioned.

"You... okay?" Naruto just asked.

Nia faked a smile.

"Yes, of course i'm fine. Why do you ask?"

"It's just... You've never let your ice cream melt like that before you eat it."

Nia stayed quiet.

Naruto sighed.

"Alright sweetie, what's going on?" He gave his full attention to her.

This made Nia blush due to his care but she didn't wanna upset him further.

"Let's just... enjoy each other's company, okay?"

"We can't do that if you're upset. Did I do something?"

"Don't worry about it, honey," Nia said.

Naruto frowned and sat his chocolate ice cream down.

"Nia, if something is bothering you, just tell me. Don't beat around the bush about it."

"Naruto, it's not really appropriate to talk about it here."

"Then we'll go somewhere else, ya know."

"Baby, let's just stay here for now. This is a date, right?"

"Yeah, but-

"Naruto, please..." Nia gave him puppy dog eyes.

"Sweetheart..."

"I wanna enjoy our time together," The girl told him. "It was really sweet of you to take me out right after you got back from your mission even though you're tired."

"Sweet Nia, it's important for me to make sure you're alright..."

"I understand that baby, but I just don't... wanna stress you out with my problems. I want you to be happy."

"I want you to be happy too Nia, which is why... i'm asking what's wrong? I need to know what's going on with you, ya know?" Naruto said.

"Yes baby, I understand," Nia nodded.

"So then... what's going on? Talk to me."

"I think... we should talk about it later. After the date and while we're not in public. It'll be more appropriate then."

"Sweetie, did someone call you ugly or fat again? If they did, tell me who they are so I can sock them for hurting your feelings."

"No baby," Nia replied. "No one called me ugly or fat. It's just... i'll tell you later, okay?"

Naruto sighed.

"All right... I'll hear you out later when you're more comfortable to talk about your feelings," Naruto then reached out for Nia's hand on the table and grasped it. "Just know that... i'm here for you... Okay?"

Nia blushed and a small smile showed on her features.

"Yes honeybun... And also know that... I'm here for you too, okay?"

"Of course," Naruto cracked a smile.

Nia then looked down and smiled to herself. When she did, Naruto's smile softened and his eyes locked onto the girl's shy facial expression.

He could see as her face was getting red while she continued to grin to herself. Reflexively, his face also began to go red and he could feel as his heart thudded in his chest.

'Cute...' He thought. 'She's so cute when she looks down and smiles to herself like that. I can't take it... She's just... adorable!'

Meanwhile, Nia's thoughts were also on the blond.

Oh Naruto... He's just so... so caring. My boyfriend truly does love me.

"Sweetheart," She then heard her boyfriend calling for her.

When Nia looked up, she was surprised to see that Naruto's face was completely red as he sported a squirmy smile while hearts floated out of his head.

Nia timidly looked away, nervous about the attention she was receiving from him. He looked so in love and it made her feel giddy, but also strange. She still wasn't used to a guy she liked, let alone love, returning her feelings.

Naruto was cute, kind, brave, strong, understanding, empathetic, sensitive, outgoing, cheerful, athletic, optimistic, resilient, diligent... just utterly perfect and there was Nia... Who was nowhere near as perfect. In fact, the complete opposite: imperfect. Probably the most imperfect person on the planet.

The fact that she managed to get someone like Naruto to even look her way was unheard of. It was impossible, it was unthinkable, it was... AMAZING.

Nia felt on top of the world. She felt like she could do anything. She felt beautiful and worthy. She felt like there was nothing or anyone who could destroy or tear the two apart. She loved the guy like her life depended on it.

Naruto continued to stare and grin stupidly at the girl, his right elbow on the table with his cheek in his palm and his ice cream in the other hand, melting on it as he was distracted by Nia.

"N-Naruto..." Nia mumbled, still too shy to make eye contact.

"What is it, sweetie?" Naruto's close-lipped smile grew larger.

"Is there... a reason... w-why... you're... staring at me... t-the way... that you a-are?" Nia questioned.

"You're just... so beautiful, ya know?" The blond answered. "I can't get enough of your beauty, sweetheart. I love you so much."

"Oh Naruto..." Steam blew out of Nia's ridiculously red face as her heart thudded very hard in her chest.

"You're the most... beautiful girl in the world," Naruto breathed.

Nia finally looked up at him, making eye contact.

"You're... just saying that," She softly dismissed his words.

"No, I mean it," Naruto then stroked a finger down Nia's cheek. "I think you're so beautiful. From your heart, to your mind, to your cute face, down to your sexy body. I think... you're so gorgeous, my sweet Nia."

"Y-You... You really mean that?" Nia's smile widened as hearts shot out of her head as well.

"Yes I do..." Naruto answered. "You know I do, beautiful."

"Well Naruto, I think... you're the most amazing man on the planet."

"You do, sweetie?"

"Yes. I really mean it," Nia said. "I mean your kind, brave, athletic, strong, empathetic, pure, diligent, resilient, friendly, non judgmental, understanding, accepting, and not to mention... You're very handsome too. I think you're utterly perfect. I love you so much, baby. I wanna be together forever, honeybun."

"Aww, sweet Nia, you're making my heart melt..." Naruto blushed even harder.

"I've always... wanted to be accepted and liked by you," Nia told him. "For a long time, I had always felt unsure that that could ever happen."

"Why wouldn't it happen, beautiful? You're the best girlfriend a man could have."

"Thanks, but the truth is, men overlook me cause I'm not pretty or thin enough..."

"Forget those guys. They're just blind. I think you're outright gorgeous, sweetie."

"Oh Naruto..." Nia's heart squeezed. "You're just too good for this world."

"You're too good for this world also," Naruto thought. "I mean, even though you've gotten beaten down by it and experienced being shunned and harassed by others, you still remain kind. You're just an angel, my sweet Nia."

"Yeah, but you already know that I wasn't always kind. I was broken for a long time until I found you. Your strength and kindness inspired me to be a better person and when I had felt like you could, even just possibly, accept me despite how imperfect I was and am, it made me want to better myself. You made me want to be kind again and have hope in the world and for that, I fell in love with you."

"Oh sweetie... You're just so... adorable."

"Naruto, you truly... accept me... don't you?" Nia nervously asked.

"You know I do, sweetheart. You know I'm crazy for you despite how imperfect you think of yourself to be."

With this, Nia's blush deepened and she smiled to herself again.

Naruto leaned forward.

"Here, give your hero a kiss."

Closing her eyes and leaning forward also, Nia shared a tender kiss with Naruto as their affection caught the eyes of a few people in the shop.

When they pulled away, Naruto finished the last of his cone, got out of his seat, and grabbed Nia's hand.

"Let's go for a walk in the park, sweetie."

"O-Okay," Nia finished the last of her cone also and wiped her mouth with a napkin before throwing it away in the trash and letting Naruto hold her hand as they walked out the store.

Nia always felt flustered whenever her and Naruto strolled around hand in hand. Others were always staring or making comments about how Naruto was too good to be walking around with someone as unattractive as herself. Nia tried to not let their comments and rude actions get to her, but it was rather hard to ignore.

They were right. The blond was out of her league in every way possible, but that never stopped her from loving or wanting to be with him. She had always hope that a guy like him could like or notice a girl like her and now that it had happened, she was uncertain on how to deal with it.

"Naruto?" The girl looked to him as they walked down a trail.

"Yes, sweetie?" He replied, making eye contact with her.

Nia timidly shifted her gaze to the ground and said, "I feel... really, really lucky."

"About what?"

"About the fact that I got you to be my boyfriend, or even... to just notice me in general. I feel... really happy and... really blessed."

Naruto rubbed his thumb across her hand.

"Sweetheart, I feel very lucky to be with you too, ya know..." The blond smiled as he scratched his cheek with his free hand while he blushed slightly.

"I'm... touched," Nia grinned. "To think my hero would feel lucky to be with me is... incredible. I'm so happy I have you, honeybun."

"Oh sweet Nia..." Naruto then squeezed her hand. "You're just so precious. Your hero swears that he loves you with all his heart."

Nia's own heart skipped a beat and she found herself blushing for the millionth time.

"Anyway, sweetie, it is rather late, don't you think?" Naruto noticed the street lights being turned on and children going home with their parents.

"Well ya. What about it?"

"I just heard... there were gonna be fireworks today."

"Fireworks? Why?" Nia questioned.

"I'm not sure," Naruto answered. "But would you like to watch them with me? It should be starting soon."

"Of course I'd love to watch them with you."

And so, Nia and Naruto headed off to a spot in the park where they'd be able to view the fireworks in the night sky. There were quite a few people with them also. Naruto brought a shy Nia close to him and cuddled her. Minutes later, the fireworks started.

The couple watched it for a while, enjoying one another's company. Nia looked to Naruto's smiling face as he seem in awe at the sorta of shapes the fireworks were making.

Nia adored his smile. It was so cute to her and made her fill up with love. Naruto then caught her stare and when Nia only became flustered and looked away, the genin cupped her chin in his fingers, made her look at him, then pressed his lips against her's gently.

Electricity shot up Nia's body at his actions. When Naruto pulled away, he cupped her face in his hands and leaned his forehead against her's.

"I love you..." He whispered.

"I... I love you too," Nia mumbled shyly.

With that, Naruto kissed her forehead and snuggled her back against him.

Again, Nia felt reassured of his love. Their relationship truly wasn't based only on sex. It was far more than that.

Far... deeper.

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A/N - And just like that, the fluff chapter ended. I really hope you guys liked this. I tried to make it romantic.

Please remember to comment and vote and have a great New Years 💕
2021 BABY!! Woooo!

QOTD:

1. Fave Part?

2. Fave Line?

3. Cutest scene and why?